”18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”
1 John 4:18
Have you ever been in love?
Today, I want to talk about something that touches each of us deeply—falling in love. But not just any love, the kind of love that is transformative, the kind of love that changes hearts and lives. The love that I’m talking about is rooted in God, the very source of love itself.
Our scripture today is from 1 John 4:18, which says, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” This verse is profound because it connects love with one of the most universal human experiences—fear. Let’s take a moment to explore what this means for us as we seek to understand and experience true love in our lives.
Understanding Perfect Love
First, we need to understand what “perfect love” is. In our human relationships, love is often imperfect. We love with conditions, with expectations, and sometimes with a guarded heart, afraid of being hurt or let down. But the love that John is talking about here is not the flawed, human love that we often experience. It’s the perfect love of God—a love that is unconditional, unchanging, and all-encompassing.
God’s love is perfect because it is rooted in His very nature. 1 John 4:8 tells us that “God is love.” This means that everything God does is motivated by love. His love is not dependent on who we are or what we do; it is a gift that He freely gives to us. And because God’s love is perfect, it has the power to drive out all fear.
Fear and Punishment
Now, let’s talk about fear. The verse says, “fear has to do with punishment.” Fear in the context of love often comes from a fear of rejection, of not being good enough, or of being hurt. In our relationships, we might hold back from fully giving our hearts to someone because we’re afraid they won’t love us back in the same way. We fear that if they truly knew us—our flaws, our past, our weaknesses—they might not want us anymore.
This fear is rooted in the idea of punishment—of getting what we deserve. But here’s the beautiful truth: God’s perfect love casts out that fear because, in Christ, we are no longer under condemnation. Romans 8:1 reminds us that “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” When we accept God’s love, we are no longer punished for our sins because Jesus took that punishment on Himself at the cross. This truth frees us from the fear of punishment and allows us to love freely and fully.
Falling in Love with God’s Love
So, how does this apply to falling in love? When we fall in love, whether with God or with another person, it can be a scary experience. We open ourselves up, we become vulnerable, and we risk being hurt. But when our love is rooted in God’s perfect love, fear has no place.
When we fall in love with God’s love, we begin to see ourselves and others through His eyes. We realize that we are deeply loved and valued by God, not because of what we’ve done, but because of who He is. This gives us the confidence to love others without fear. We can love our spouses, our friends, our family, and even those who are difficult to love because we know that our worth is not dependent on their response, but on God’s unchanging love for us.
Loving Without Fear
Loving without fear means loving with a heart that is open and unguarded. It means forgiving those who have hurt us, trusting in God’s plan for our relationships, and allowing His love to flow through us to others. It means stepping out in faith, knowing that even if we get hurt, God’s love will always be there to heal and restore us.
In a world where love is often conditional and fleeting, God calls us to a higher standard—a love that is fearless because it is rooted in Him. As we grow in our understanding of God’s love, we will find that our fears begin to fade away, replaced by a deep and abiding love that can weather any storm.
Let us strive to love as God loves us—with a love that is perfect, unconditional, and free of fear. As we do, we will experience the fullness of joy and peace that comes from living in the light of His perfect love. May God bless us as we seek to love without fear, trusting in His perfect love to cast out all fear.
To God be all the glory, now and forever.
Were you able to glean and grow from this message so God can be further glorified and His Kingdom magnified? If so, I would love to hear from you. Follow this link to get in touch… Let’s pray!
Father God;
We thank you for your presence in our lives,
We praise you Lord for the wisdom bestowed upon David,
And we ask you Lord to help us find joy in your perfect plan.
Allow us to praise and love each other through faith in you Jesus,
Shield us from evil through your Word, salvation and prayer,
Guide us to abide by the truth as we spread the good news to one and all,
And lead the lost to You.
God we pray that you will continue to bless us,
To bless our lives and fill us with hope.
We ask you Lord to guide our footsteps and lead us to the way everlasting,
Through faith in you Lord we seek salvation and our place with you in Heaven
According to your ways, your everlasting wisdom and strength.
May your will be done, here on Earth and through the vast Universe,
May our hearts be filled with your everlasting love and grace.
Praises to You God, Amen!
This message was written by Daniel St.Pierre
