There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. We love, because He first loved us.
(1 John 4:18-19, NASB)
Two wonderful truths are found in today’s verses.
First, we really, truly don’t need to fear anything. Anything. Our Father loves us so much, and Jesus promised to be with us “always, even unto the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20). We are never alone. Though we travel through the “valley of the shadow of death,” we needn’t fear because our Shepherd is with us (Ps. 23:4).
Perfect love casts out fear … and our Father perfectly loves us!
Second, love comes from God. Period. Without His loving example, we wouldn’t know what love really is. Think about it. Laying down our lives for our friends. Turning the other cheek. Loving our enemies. Selflessness.
Those are lessons we learn from Jesus’ life on earth.
Forgiveness. Grace. Mercy. Redemption.
We receive these gifts because of the Father’s love for us. Without God’s love in us, we would manifest wrath, jealousy, selfishness … all those “works of the flesh.” (See Gal. 5:19-21.)
If you’re fearful, lay everything—all your worries, all your cares—at Jesus’ feet. Allow Him to cover your fear with His love.
And when you feel less than loving, remember how much you’re loved. And love accordingly.
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