1 John 4:17–18 (ESV): 17  By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the  day of judgment,  because as he is so also are we in this world.  18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

Abba,

Most of the world’s religions still live the day to day in fear of judgement.    Most still live day to day in fear of not measuring up or pleasing the deity whom they serve.  Most have no certainty of forgiveness, of constancy, of faithful and unconditional love from the god that they worship and serve.  Most live in “hope” that they will be found worthy.  But their “hope” is not hope at all.  It is not the hope as your word uses it.  Hope as the world refers to it is nothing more than a strong desire and longing but that lacks the certainty of attainment.  Hope, as the world views it, and as much of the world’s religions view it, is nothing more than wishful thinking.  A desire, deeply longed for, but with no guarantee of fulfillment.  What a dread it is to live in such a manner!  What a dread to live with such uncertainty and instability!

Your word promises a very different reality.  Your sacred words speaks of love as the cure for fear of judgment.  Perfect love, your kind of love, drives out fear of judgement.  Why?  Because true love is unconditional.  It does not change with circumstance or man’s behavior.  It chooses to love and seek the best of the one loved regardless.  It is unconditional.  It does not place any requirement upon the one loved.  It simply states that it will continue to choose to love and seek the best interests of the other no matter what.  It promises to always love, always forgive, always remain faithful no matter how badly or how often it is betrayed and hurt.  This is the constant love that YOU, our God has for those who have been claimed by Him through their repentance and faith.  Once claimed, there is no release, no forsaking, no backing out Your commitment to love and seek our greatest good.  We do not not have to fear judgment or a failure to measure up because the work of Christ has already provided everything needed to ensure we have a right, perfect, and unchanging standing before You, God almighty! 

Certainly there is grief in failure.  The pain, hurt, disappointment that come when we fail and sin should create sorrow.  This sorrow, rightly handled, will lead to confession, repentance, and sanctification.  This is good, godly sorrow that You use for Your glory and our good. (2 Corinthians 7:5-13)

But this is different than fear of judgment.  Judgement deals in punishment and retribution for the wrongs committed.  In this, Romans 8 stands as a bold witness and testimony….for those covered by Jesus’ blood, we NEVER face that…EVER! 

Your perfect love, exemplified in Christ and displayed on the cross, ensures that we will never face judgment.  The penalty is paid.  The consequence satisfied. 

Abba, let us bask in this comfort and truth!  Let us stand in full assurance before you that never does your judgment fall upon us for it already fell on Christ fully and perfectly.

May we strive to live in the joy and hope of that truth, striving never to grieve your name but delight in all things in you!

Further, let this perfect love be displayed through us in our dealings with man around us.  So glorious is this truth that you desire for it to be broadcast, proclaimed, and declared from every relationship that professes your name!  May our resting in this truth be evidence and displayed in our dealings with man so that they too would see and glory in your name!

What’s more, let the strength and joy of this truth also be the motive to never settle in our spiritual growth, in our spiritual maturity, in our status quo!  May we ever be growing in Christ likeness and ever warring against our sin!  May we ever be mortifying the flesh and surrendering to the Spirit!  May we ever be dying to ourselves and taking up our cross!

All in the understanding and empowering truth of your perfect love which drives our fear!  May we never use it as an excuse to sin, to be ok with a little remaining in sin and dirt!  May we never use it as an excuse to justify our fleshly desires but may we wage war every where and in every way necessary to uproot, burn, and destroy the last remaining vestiges of sin in us! 

Perfect love cast out fear, YES! Hallelujah!! May that truth spur us toward passionate pursuit of you, war against our own sin, and drive us to unconditional love of others…for your name’s sake, Oh Glorious God!