Lord, thank you for once again having the opportunity to read and reflect on Your word. AMEN 1 John 4:16-19 (NIV)
16 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. 17 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. 18 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. 19 We love because he first loved us.
I have to admit that there are times in my life when I fail to recall or rely on the love God has for me. The indication of that failure for me is a spirit of fear. Oddly enough, my fear usually has more to do with the fear of people and circumstances than fear of God. That’s scary because God has substantially more power and reason to instill fear than people or circumstances.
However, I have come to see this spirit of fear as a friend, because it always drives me to the foot of the cross where once again the love of God is made real to me. Then, as the passage says, “perfect love drives out fear.” Because He loved me first and loved me completely I am able to demonstrate His love to others. I find this is possible only because His love. which is a completely free and unearned gift, invades my frail and undeserving mind and body.
Thanks Mike, for the helpful reminder last Sunday.
Lord, thank you for showing me your love. Help me to live a life free from the fear that daily surrounds me and gets in the way of doing the work you have for me to do. Make your love for me so real that that I am compelled to share it with everyone I encounter. Help me, by your Spirit, to rely on your love. AMEN
John