Today’s Encouragement is 1 John 4:18a NLT 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.
No Fear-
As believers in Jesus, we can be completely confident that God loves us because – “Nothing can separate us from God’s Love” Romans 8:38 NLT. And we know that this is the truth, that – “God IS Love” 1 John 4:16 NLT.
We also understand that we are advised, counseled, and commanded to Love God, and to love others. (Matt 22:37)
And this is key – we can truly love others only when we first recognize and accept the Love which God has for us. His Love first fills us, then overflows into the lives of others. (1 John 4:19)
So, my friend, God Loves us, and as best we are able… we love God. We are (now, already) in a perfect loving Father/son or daughter relationship with God. And in this Perfect Love Relationship… there is no need, no reason, and no place for Fear!
This fear includes all types of the “residue” of fear, including guilt, shame, anxiety, worry, depression, doubt, anger, etc., all of which are destructive to any loving relationship. These are all unnecessary, unwelcome, and unwarranted in our Perfect Love Relationship! This is the true relationship – which we each have – with our Father God.
Father, Help us to believe and accept Your immeasurable Love, forgiveness, mercy, and grace. Help us to clearly see that, through Jesus, You love us – perfectly.
O Lord Your Tenderness/Such Love
Graham Kendrick
Today’s Encouragement 