This Day in History: 0000-02-13
February 13– 1 John 4:16-18
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. 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.
Do you struggle with fear? Do you sometimes find yourself overwhelmed by your situation and so uncertain of what tomorrow may hold that you become paralyzed? It happens to me every now and then as I walk this road to recovery in my marriage. But the truth that always ends up pulling me out of it and giving me the courage to move forward is found right here in these verses. “We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in His love.” If we’re putting our trust in anything else, whether that be in our ability to control our situations or the love of another person, or financial security – anything other than the love of God, then it will eventually lead to fear because it will eventually fail.
But God is love, and as we live daily immersing ourselves in His Word, in prayer, and in a spirit of worship; our understanding of that love will grow deeper and deeper. It will become a part of us. It will be who we are! Our focus will become more eternal. We will understand the truth of Romans 8 – There is now no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. When that truth really sinks in to our hearts – that we can stand before God righteous and pure – there will be nothing left to fear. The trials in this life will diminish. The uncertainty of tomorrow won’t matter in light of the total security of our position for eternity. We are so loved, dear sisters! Loved with a perfect love. A PERFECT love!!!! It sounds like a dream, doesn’t it? But it is reality. We are His perfectly loved children, and perfect love casts out fear!