Scripture Text: 1 John 4:13-18
There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears has not reached perfection in love.
1 John 4:18 (HCSB)
“Love divine, all loves excelling,” begins a classic hymn by Charles Wesley. “Joy of heaven to earth come down, fix in us thy humble dwelling, all thy faithful mercies crown. Jesus, thou art all compassion, pure, unbounded love thou art; visit us with thy salvation, enter every trembling heart.”
God’s love at work within us is one of the key themes of 1 John. Forms of the word “love” appear 43 times in this epistle! John circles back to this theme again and again. You might feel a bit of déjà vu in today’s reading, which begins “This is how we know” (v. 13). What does John want us to know? That we’re truly saved. How do we know? By the Holy Spirit. Again, we are told about the assurance of salvation and the work of the Spirit. So, we know where this is going: As children of God, we can testify to God’s love in sending His Son to be our Savior (v. 14).
We who believe and receive the gospel are born again into God’s family (v. 15). God gives us spiritual life, demonstrated to be real by our love and obedience. “So we know and rely on the love God has for us” (v. 16). “God is love” is the point at which orthodoxy (truthful beliefs) and orthopraxy (righteous actions) reveal how interwoven and inseparable they are. God, love, life, knowledge, truth, salvation, righteousness, obedience—when we walk in the light, these are all together where and how and why we walk.
As we love like God and imitate Jesus, our love is “made complete” or becomes fully fruitful (v. 17). On the day of judgment, we’ll therefore feel no fear or anxiety but rather joy and peace in God’s presence (v. 18).
Reflect
1. What evidence can you find in your life that the Spirit of God resides in you?
2. How does this assurance of God's presence empower you to live a life of love and service to others?
3. Are there any areas where you struggle to extend love, grace, and forgiveness?
Remember
The Father’s Son, Jesus Christ, walks always in His Father’s love. Jesus highlights His willingness to follow the Father's instructions, demonstrating His love and devotion to Him, abiding in Jesus' love. He encourages His disciples to remain in His love by keeping His commandments, just as He remains in the love of the Father by obeying His commandments. My dear readers, as believers-followers of Him, let us make walking in the light of God’s love our theme for each day.
Read
Psalm 36:7-9; John 14:20-26; 1 Corinthians 12:3; Romans 8:15; 2 Timothy 1:7; James 2:22&26
Pray
Dear Heavenly Father, it is because of Your love, as much as Your holiness and omniscience, that I trust You. In the darkest circumstances of my life, I have the security of knowing that it is a loving God who is in control of my life. You have clearly displayed it when You gave up Your dear only Son for me. And in Your Son, our Lord Jesus, I experience Your abiding love. In Your Son Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Comments