Written by Pastor Jack Wellman– AB Simpson
Perfect Love Casts out Fear
The Apostle John wrote that “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” (1 John 4:18). A perfect love is the love where Jesus died for the unworthy sinners and enemies of God (Rom. 5:8, 10). How much more perfect can you get? This perfect love casts out fear, as we don’t have to fear condemnation anymore (Rom. 8:10) because we have peace with God through Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:1). There is no fear of judgment anymore after death because Jesus took our punishment for us.
The Spirit Casts out Fear
Paul wrote, “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father’” (Rom. 8:15), and now we have no fear of “tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword” (Rom. 8:35), nor of “death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation” (Rom. 8:38-39a).
His Presence Casts our Fear
When my children were young, they were afraid of the dark, but when I was with them, even in the dark, they weren’t afraid at all, which reminds me of what Isaiah wrote: “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10), “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Tim. 1:7). “Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27), says Jesus, for “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5).
Conclusion
If you have fear, understand this: It is from Satan and his demons and not from God because for those who have repented and trusted in Christ, they have no need to fear anymore. In fact, when Satan tries to make you fearful, remind him of his future–that is one thing that he surely does fear (Rev. 20:10).
