1 John 4:18a - Love and Fear Dont Mix!

1Jo.4:18a: Love and Fear Don?t Mix!

There is no fear in love;
but perfect love casteth out fear
1 John 4:18a (KJV)

The love of God in Christ, in the hearts of Christians from the
Spirit of adoption, is the great proof of conversion. [Matthew Henry]


Love prompts us to seek others; fear causes us to shrink from
others. Fear brings its own punishment to the one who has not perfected
(completed) his love. [Ryrie SB]


God's love, which the believer experiences and expresses toward
others, drives out fear of eschatological or future punishment.
[Believer's SB]


If we have perfect love, we shall know that God is not seeking
to injure us, but that in the midst of trials, and griefs, and
pains, He is seeking to make us perfect, and to test the quality of our
faith. When we cease to worry about the future, and begin to believe
that God loves us, and means to do us good, we shall trust Him as a
child trusts a loving parent. Then our troubles and torments will
disappear, and our will will be swallowed up in the will of God.  SD193


If fear falls upon you in a punitive sense, check and find its
source.  Following God's Spirit we have no fear, we have God's love
instead.  We are exhorted to remember that we are God's children, in such
a wonderful relationship to Him that out of our heart we may cry,
Papa, to Him who sits above all creation enthroned in majesty!  Having
become part of God's family we receive His Holy Spirit, who comes to
live within us and give us the power to please God.  Even if our own
spirit questions our position in Christ, God's Spirit witnesses to us
inwardly and tells us we are indeed sons of God!  If we find ourselves
questioning our position in God's family regularly we must ask the Lord to
reveal to us its source.  Be prepared.  We can call Him Papa. He has
given us that right. But He also will keep us walking the narrow path
by whatever means are necessary. [In His Time; Walk With Wisdom re
Rom.8:15]


What is there to fear if God sent his Son to die to redeem us?
What is there to fear if we cannot be separated from the love God has
for us in Christ Jesus? What is there to fear except ourselves? As
we love God and his children, we are reminded by his love for us,
which is far better than our meager love for others. Rather than run
from him in fear, we bow before him in thanks, knowing that he who
hears our prayers is also he who loves us and stops our fears.

Prayer: Loving Father, thank you that I can revere you without
fearing your wrath. Thank you that I can revere your word and yet not be
terrified by my inadequacies. May your love in me produce a closer
likeness to your holiness, righteousness, justice, and mercy than all the
laws, threats, and judges combined. Through Jesus, who ransomed me
from sin, I pray. Amen. [Heartlight Daily Verse by Phil Ware]