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.
—1 John 4:18
Thoughts on Today’s Verse…
What is there to fear since nothing can separate us from the love God has for us in Christ Jesus? (Romans 8:38-39)
What is there to fear since God has poured his Spirit into our hearts to transform, strengthen, and make us holy? (2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 6:11)
What is there to fear since God sent his Son to die to redeem us and present us to God as holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation”? (Colossians 1:21-22)
As the apostle Paul declared: What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32)We are God’s children. He loves us. His love for us is far better, richer, and deeper than our meager love for others. Rather than run from God in fear, we gladly bow before him in thanks, knowing that our Father who hears our prayers is also the one who loves us and yearns to calm our fears. And because of him, we have no fear in his love.
My Prayer…
Loving Father, thank you that I can come to you as your beloved child without fear. I can come with tenderness and reverence, with neediness and confidence, with brokenness and awe. You are holy, majestic, and awe-inspiring, yet I do not have to be terrified to come to you with my inadequacies. May your love for me produce a closer likeness to your holiness, righteousness, justice, and mercy in me than any fear could ever cause. I pray in the mighty name of Jesus, who ransomed me from sin and poured out his love upon me. Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
