No Fear in Love
1 John 4:16-21 (NLT)
16 We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love.
God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.
18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. 19 We love each other because he loved us first.
20 If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? 21 And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers.
God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.
18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. 19 We love each other because he loved us first.
20 If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? 21 And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers.
Picture a child at a park swinging on the swings. The child’s dad comes up to him while he is swinging and tells him to jump into his arms. What does that small child do? He jumps into his father’s arms, of course. The child trusts that his daddy will catch him. I can almost hear this child’s bubbling laughter as his father catches him in his arms. The child is not fearful that his father will not catch him. He is assured of his father’s love for him.
Our scripture states that perfect love casts out fear. One of the acronyms for Fear is: False Evidence Appearing Real. The Bible says that fear is torment or has to do with punishment. Living in fear is not a good place to be. God has another plan, a good plan, for us. God’s love casts out that fear. Perfect love drives out fear. Like that child who jumps into his father’s arms, we can live a happy life when we realize God’s love for us.
When we know that God loves us, it is natural for us to spread that love to others. In fact, the Bible says whoever loves God must also love his brother.
When we are filled with God’s love, we will show God’s love to others. That love for others will naturally pour out of us when we are filled with God’s love. There are many hurting people that need to be shown God’s love.
We need to also show that love to our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. God wants us to love and be connected to each other. By showing the love of God to others, we can be Jesus to the world.
Prayer: Father God, help us to realize and have a revelation of your love for us. We want to trust you. Help us to send that love forth to people who really need your love. We love you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Our scripture states that perfect love casts out fear. One of the acronyms for Fear is: False Evidence Appearing Real. The Bible says that fear is torment or has to do with punishment. Living in fear is not a good place to be. God has another plan, a good plan, for us. God’s love casts out that fear. Perfect love drives out fear. Like that child who jumps into his father’s arms, we can live a happy life when we realize God’s love for us.
When we know that God loves us, it is natural for us to spread that love to others. In fact, the Bible says whoever loves God must also love his brother.
When we are filled with God’s love, we will show God’s love to others. That love for others will naturally pour out of us when we are filled with God’s love. There are many hurting people that need to be shown God’s love.
We need to also show that love to our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. God wants us to love and be connected to each other. By showing the love of God to others, we can be Jesus to the world.
Prayer: Father God, help us to realize and have a revelation of your love for us. We want to trust you. Help us to send that love forth to people who really need your love. We love you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Darla Martin, Pine Bluff UMC, Shinnston, WV Martindarla395@gmail.com, Certified Lay Speaker; Sun School Superintendent; Pianist
No Comments