Perfect Love

Good Morning,

John 16:33 (NIV)
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
1 John 4:18 (NIV)
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. (Emphasis mine: DRB)

Both of these verses crossed my desk this morning. One seems to have little to do with the other. At least is sure seemed that way to me when I read them separately. Then, well, it seemed they sort of can have something to do with each other and definitely they speak to us this morning.

Jesus told us, "In this world you will have trouble." He didn't say that we MIGHT have trouble or that we COULD have trouble. No, He was extremely specific and to the point in this statement. He said that we WILL have trouble. So, I guess when things don't go well in our lives, we ought to have expected it if we believe what Jesus said.

What sort of puts these two verses together in the same context for me today is the fact that when we have trouble in our lives, as many of us have right now with the way things are in the world, that trouble we have brings fear into our lives. You see where this goes then? Jesus also tells us that He has overcome the world. Then when we read John we learn that "perfect love drives out fear."

That's where the two came together for me today and made clear what God was speaking to me.

When we read all of 1 John, we learn a great deal about what love is...God's love and our love for God and the fact that God IS love! This is where peace sort of came to me.

Trouble which brings fear? Well, okay, there is that trouble that abounds everywhere today. But fear? Well, those of us who have accepted Jesus Christ and love God, well, we have the love in our lives which drives out that fear, the fear that comes from trouble. You see?

The fear we feel is wrong and, I truly believe, comes from the enemy. The devil wants us to feel the fear that we ought not to feel. Trouble? Sure. Comes with being alive in this world. Fear? No. Not because of the trouble we face.

So, because we live in this world we will have trouble. The trouble we have will bring some fear to us. But because Jesus has overcome the world; because God is love; and because the perfect love of God, for God, and between God and us, this love drives out fear.

Think about that when fear comes today. It probably will in one way or another. Well, if not today, then soon, I'm sure.

"Perfect love drives out fear."

Love, peace, and blessings,

David