This passage of scripture has been running
through my mind on a loop for the past few months. The full text says: “There
is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment.
He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18
This passage has been on my mind because a
friend kept repeating it with reference to interpersonal relationships, and I have
been perplexed about this application. Then I was reminded of the definition of
love. I’ve spoken before about this subject but in short scripture summarizes
this way, “And this is love, that we walk after His commandments. This is the
commandment, that, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.”
2 John 1:6
So what is the commandment that we have
heard from the beginning? Simply put this is the Decalogue, the Law of God
(Psalms 105:8-10; Matthew 24:35). God’s law is everlasting and all encompassing
and by His grace we are able to keep all of them – perfectly (Philippians 4:13;
2 Corinthians 13:11; 1 John 4:17).
We’ve just completed a review of the
Decalogue, and in it we find that when we put anyone or anything before God,
the first commandment is broken. God has given various instructions on how He expects
us to keep this particular command, relying on Him, listening to His prophets,
and studying His word, to name a few (Proverbs 3:5; 2 Chronicles 20:20; 2
Timothy 2:15).
Consequently, if we study His Word
diligently (Isaiah 28:10) and try the prophets, through the guidance of the
Holy Spirit, and determine that their words coordinate with the Bible (Isaiah
8:20), then by the grace of God we will obey (Philippians 2:13). As a result we
will have nothing to fear, because the consequences of our actions are now in
the hands of the Lord “And we know that all things work together for good to
them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”
Romans 8:28
Recently, I read about the love Samuel had
for Saul and how his heart ached when God rejected Saul as King. However, this fatherly
affection that Samuel had toward Saul did not interfere with his faithful
delivery of God’s word or his diligent execution of God’s commands (1 Samuel
15:22-35; 16:1-13). He was fearless in chastening Saul and boldly anointed his
successor. Parents and elders should not indulge their children in wrongs; true
love will always defend and promote truth, righteousness and the will of God.
Following Saul’s rejection we see his fear
increase as he became suspicious of everyone around him, looking for
conspiracies to cause him harm at every turn (1 Samuel 16:14-23; 18:10-16;
19:8-17; 20:24-34). Because he was disobedient to God’s commands he had no
peace; he was tormented day and night in fear of how his reign would end,
stalking a man that would do him no harm (1 Samuel 24:1-15). Disobedience to
the will of God will only lead to fear of the unknown. When we obey God’s word
he protects us from the wiles of the devil. There is no need to hunt for the
plans of our enemies because perfect adherence to the word of God will keep us
safe.
As another example, God’s word speaks about
not being unequally yoked with people who don’t share your beliefs (2
Corinthians 6:14). His prophet also speaks to the responsibility one has to
future children and the community regarding marriage and raising useful,
productive people. As we see in the life of Solomon, he “loved many strange
women” and as a result his kingdom was split through the actions of an imprudent
son (1 Kings 11:1-13; 12:1-24). This division lead to the subsequent apostasy
of the lost tribes (1 Kings 12:25-33; 13:1-5). All must be taken into
consideration; feelings and desires cannot be the guiding force in so
fundamental a course. Perfect love in this situation is not an emotional rush but
a careful, well-measured consideration of God’s principles.
Therefore, perfect study of God’s word,
perfect dependence on God, and perfect obedience to God, which brings about
perfect love will beyond a doubt cast out all fear. For God hath not given us
the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy
1:7
Please Consider
Freedom from Fear
Hand In Hand
