LOVE WITHOUT FEAR

“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. 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.”
1 John 4:17-18 NLT

What a profound statement! John has now reached the heart and core of his presentation of the love of God.

There are many emotions that play a part in our lives and not the least is fear. Many of God’s children are still plagued by doubts and fears, often like the weather patterns on any given day. Faith fluctuates with doubt and fear, depending on the circumstances of the day.

How is it possible to live through even one day with a steadfast faith that is not affected by our circumstances or our interaction with people?

We get up in the morning with a song in our hearts and the determination to sail through our day unaffected by the things that go on around us. However, by breakfast time, we have already been rattled by our family around us. By lunchtime we have blotted our copybook many times. Exasperated, we ask ourselves, “How can God love me when I have said… done…?” whatever has been the response of my flesh.

What are we doing to create such frustration and doubts in our hearts? We have allowed our circumstances to dictate our reactions, which are often aggressive or defensive.

John gives us another option, to live in God so that we grow in the love of God. What does that mean? It means a change of perspective. In our natural, often spontaneous responses, we see ourselves as the centre of the issue, whatever it is that has triggered a reaction. Our flesh rises up to the situation and sin is often the result. Anger, harsh words, retaliation, antagonism, taking offense, are often the ways in which we handle the situation.

We shrink back from God’s love because we fear His displeasure and its consequences. We view difficult or unpleasant circumstances as God’s punishment for our ungodly behaviour. Our response to His abiding love is immature and fluctuating.

John says that’s not the way to live on even keel. There’s a much better way. By changing our perspective to recognise that God is the centre of our lives, our adversities take on a different meaning. Living in God’s love implies that we learn to view our circumstances from His perspective. Bad things happen because He allows them to happen to test the resilience of our faith. Conflicts are not always bad if we use the opportunity to resolve them with love and patience.

Life is never about plain sailing. Life is about navigating an evil and sinful world by God’s grace. Living in the awareness of His love, no matter what, instead of living in self-awareness, taking offence in every situation, is character training for our lives in His eternal kingdom.

Growing this mature love frees us from the voice of the accuser. His lies will drive us to be afraid of God. The knowledge of the truth, Jesus said, will set us free from the power of that nagging voice. The Holy Spirit is not the accuser. He explains, enlightens, and provides the solution so that we turn to God, not run from Him.

So, John says, live in God as the centre of your awareness. Your confidence in His love will grow your faith in Him. You will stand before Him confident and unafraid because His grace at work in you has won the day.