Perfect Love

You may be tempted to live in fear because of war, inflation, health issues,
etc, but as a child of God, your fears are drowned in Jesus' perfect love.

Perfect Love

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love." (1 John 4:18)

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power
and of love and of a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7)

Like you, my heart breaks for the people of Ukraine. A free and sovereign nation is being overtaken by a foreign government. Pray for Ukraine. Pray also for the Russian people. There are many followers of Jesus in Russia, and I am sure they and many others are not in favor of what their government is doing to their neighbors to the southwest.

Fear or love: those are our options. You may be tempted to live in fear because of the war in Europe, inflation, fear for your health, etc. These are all valid concerns but should not cause you to live in fear.

It is interesting to me how both John and Paul contrast fear with love. They are presented as opposites. How does love cast out fear? First, focus on the love that God has for us. His perfect love for us leaves no room for fear. We have the assurance that we know Him, He is for us, and when we die, He will take us home. Considering these truths, how could fear exist within us?

Also, think about the love we have for one another. If we truly love and sacrifice for one another, there is no room for fear. I think one of the manifestations of fear is unforgiveness. When we choose not to forgive, we are not loving as Jesus would have us love, with this agape quality of love. If you have ever battled with unforgiveness, then you know the torment it brings to your heart. I like the way this biblical scholar comments on 1 John 4:18: "But a Christian who loves has nothing to fear and thus escapes the inner torment which a failure to love can bring." (Walvoord & Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary. (1985). The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 900). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)

This subject of love over fear reminds me of the following lyrics in the song, "No Longer Slaves":

You split the sea so I could walk right through it
My fears are drowned in perfect love
You rescued me so I could stand and say
I am a child of God

Our fears are indeed drowned in perfect love. If you know Jesus, then you are a child of God. Live your life not with fear and doubt, but with love and faith.

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Podcast of the Week

The Beatitudes, Pt. 13

Pastor Danny continues his series about the Beatitudes of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount, recorded in Matthew 5-7. In this episode, he examines Matthew 5:9 - "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."

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