Sis. Sara Joseph
- Pimpri Church, Pune District
1 John 4:18, NIV: "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love". Read Bible Verse
When we experience God's love in our lives and share it with others, we do not need to fear. The future punishment that awaits those who do not believe does not concern the "[1]abiding" believer. The two-way relationship of God's love in our lives gives us confidence and security. The ability to live out His love is a sign of our faith in Him, and the way for us to follow His will in order to gain eternal rewards.Fear is associated with punishment. The believer has been fully forgiven of sins. The one who knows Christ in true fellowship lives for Him and does not need to fear future punishment.
The person who experiences fear "has not been perfected in love."
In other words, those who fear punishment don't have a complete or mature relationship with God. This certainly applies to unbelievers, but can also include believers who are not growing in Christ. It is the growing, maturing believer who can look forward to the future with joy rather than fear. This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit.
And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Saviour of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so, we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world, we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”
Why Do We Fear?
In 2 Timothy 1:7, it states, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” Read Bible Verse
We have been given control over our thoughts and fears. But Satan is the one who invites us into fear. For example, In Genesis 3 it talks about how the serpent (Satan), deceives Eve into eating the fruit off the tree of good and evil. As soon as she and her husband Adam ate the fruit, they saw that they were naked. They quickly began to sew fig leaves together because of the shame of being naked. And when they heard God walking in the garden, they hid (Genesis 3:10).We fear because we forget that God made us with His love. His love drives, pushes, and casts away all of our [2]tormenting thoughts and fears.
Jesus felt all of the fears we deal with now, and an example is pointed out in Matthew 26: 36-39: “Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” Read Bible Verse
He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Jesus began to be sorrowful. He was in a state of distress and depressed because He knew what was about to happen. His death for our life. But Jesus knew that God's love for Him is beyond any fear that tries to come in. , if we can comprehend this, then we can trust in our hearts that God will not leave nor forsake us in our fear (Deuteronomy 31:6). Read Bible Verse
The Holy Spirit and Perfect Love
Romans 8:14-17 tells us “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.” Read Bible Verse
If we are being led by the Spirit of God, then fear should not overtake you. We are adopted when we accept Jesus Christ into our lives. But if we are being led by the spirit of fear, then we are being influenced and [3]overwhelmed by fear alone.Call to God and He will answer (Psalm 107:6) Read Bible Verse.
Live in God's love and let His love rule and be sovereign over your life so that fear will forever be cast away.
1 Abiding: Lasting a long time; enduring.
2 Tormenting: Inflicting severe physical or mental suffering.
3 Overwhelmed : Have a strong emotional effect on.
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