1 John 4:17-18 (The Message)
To Love, to Be Loved 17-18God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we're free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ's. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love.
This is such an awesome Scripture. There is no fear in love. When most of us decided to surrender and become born again, we came because of situations that we didn't know how to deal with in our life and we were just sick and tired of being sick and tired. Also most of us had a fear of judgment, punishment and just the fear of the possibility of going to hell. However, as we get to know and love our Father, an awesome thing happens. What started as fear ends in no fear. How awesome is that?!! He loves us so much and because of His love, we know that we can trust Him and have faith because He definitely is the faithful one. He gives us hope and love. What more could we ask for?
This doesn't mean that we shouldn't have a reverential fear of the Lord. A reverential fear of the Lord is a fear because of God's greatness. It is not a tormenting fear. We need to do what God has commanded us to do. But we also need to know that if we are doing what He has asked us to do, we do not need to fear judgment. If I confess Jesus is the Son of God, then the Holy Spirit says I can dwell in His love and peace. If you read this Scripture down to Verse 17, it's not only our display of love but the perfection of love in us. Not only do we know that we dwell in God and He dwells in us but He has given to us His Spirit.
Sometimes I hear people say they are afraid of the future. We need to know that God loves us with perfection. Romans 8:38-39 says "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Remind ourselves and others daily of God's love. His love is immeasurable! We need to love our brothers and sisters also. His love gives us hope, peace, joy and even confidence!! Always make sure we are in the right path and that we love God and the children of God. When we are truly devoted to God, then we will truly love each other.
