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Let's look at what the Word of God says in 1 John 4:17-19: "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. We love because He first loved us."
The song "Perfect Love, No Fear" beautifully echoes these verses, focusing on the divine assurance and the eradication of fear through the perfection of God's love. Within these scriptures, a profound truth is declared: fear cannot coexist with perfect love. This article will explore how God's love transforms us, positioning us to live confidently, without fear, in this world.
The Apostle John, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote the First Epistle of John to address certain critical issues facing the early church. It was a time characterized by false teachings and misunderstandings about the nature of Christ and the nature of love. John wrote to reaffirm the essential truths of the faith, emphasizing the reality of Jesus's incarnation, the necessity of showing love to one another, and the assurance of eternal life.
In 1 John 4:17-19, John was addressing believers, reminding them of the transformative love of God, which, when perfected in us, removes the grip of fear. The context is both pastoral and corrective, encouraging believers to imitate Jesus's love and to dwell in the assurance provided by God's character.
Let's focus on two key words from the passage:
1. Perfect (Greek: "teleios") – This word means more than just without flaw or defect. "Teleios" refers to something being brought to its intended goal or completion. When the Apostle John speaks of love being made "perfect" among us, he is talking about love reaching its fullest expression and achieving its purpose—producing confidence in believers.
2. Fear (Greek: "phobos") – While this word gives us the English term "phobia," its biblical meaning goes beyond mere fright or terror. "Phobos" in the context of 1 John 4 refers to the dread of judgment, the fear of punishment. This fear inherently suggests incomplete understanding and experience of God's love.
By understanding these terms, we realize that perfect love isn't about flawlessness in emotional experiences but about the full realization and application of God’s love in our lives, leading us away from the fear of divine punishment.
### Stanza 1: "This is how love is made complete among us..."
The song's opening line reflects the assurance given in God's Word that love is made complete in us as we embody Christ's nature. Our confidence on the day of judgment comes from the fact that in this world, we are like Jesus. As believers, we are called to mirror Christ's love, which naturally abolishes all fear of judgment because in Christ, we are justified and made righteous (Romans 3:24).
### Stanza 2 & Refrain: "There is no fear in love..."
This refrain resonates with the scripture's core teaching that perfect love casts out fear. Here, the lyrics emphasize that fear is linked with punishment—a reality for those who have not embraced or fully realized God's love. John tells us that fear is incompatible with the perfected love of God because this love assures us of God's acceptance and ultimate good for us.
### Stanza 3: "We love because He first loved us."
This line reaffirms a foundational biblical truth. Our ability to love and live without fear stems from God's initiative. He loved us first, demonstrated in the most concrete manner through Christ's sacrificial death on the cross (Romans 5:8). This initiatory love empowers us and is a model we strive to emulate, resulting in fearless living.
To embody the truth of perfect love casting out fear in our daily lives, we must take the following steps:
1. Recognize and Accept God's Love: First, we must accept God's love by faith. Meditate on Romans 8:38-39, which affirms that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Allow this truth to transform your thinking and heart.
2. Focus on Christ's Example: Second, we must focus on living as Jesus did. 1 Peter 2:21 reminds us that Christ left us an example to follow. His love was sacrificial, intentional, and proactive. Enhance your understanding of His life and ministry through the Gospels.
3. Confess and Resist Fear: Third, confess scripture aloud as a weapon against fear. 2 Timothy 1:7 can be a powerful proclamation, reminding us that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.
4. Live Out Love: Finally, demonstrate love to others. 1 John 4:11 encourages us, "Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." Practical acts of kindness and service are tangible ways to reflect God’s love.
Proclamation: "I am loved by God with a perfect and everlasting love. In this world, as He is, so am I. Therefore, I declare that fear has no place in me, for His perfect love casts out all fear."
Prayer: Father in Heaven, thank You for Your perfect love that drives out all fear. Help me to walk in the fullness of Your love each day. May Your love be made complete in me, that I may live without fear and reflect Jesus in every area of my life. Empower me through Your Holy Spirit to love others as You have loved me, in Jesus’s mighty name, Amen.
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