Dec 4 Daniel 11:2-35, 1 John 4:7-21, Psalm 138:1-8
1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
I feel sometimes we’ve misused this verse, to suggest there is something wrong with us if we have fear. Because perfect love casts out all fear. However, who has actually reached that place of perfect love yet?
But let’s have no doubt. Fear can be crippling. Fear can limit our potential and fear is certainly something we should be looking to overcome. God did not give us a Spirit of fear – fear does not come from Him. The only good fear is fear of The Lord.
Whoever fears has not been perfected in love. Well I can honestly say, I have not been perfected in love. Not yet. So I still have my fears.
Yes I have my fears, but they do not have me.
Fear shows that we’ve not yet fully accepted how much God loves us. That perfect love casts out all fear because we can feel totally secure in that love. Through any trial or situation.
I’m not there yet. But I’m closer than I used to be. And one day, I will step into that perfect love, maybe not until I see Him face to face, but it’s coming. And that gives me great hope.
How can we see this grow in our lives more today? Well, John says in verse 12 – the path to perfecting His love in us is through loving each other. The more we love, the less we fear.
