Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. I John 4:8
God is love! His love is a perfect love because He is love. Everything God does is out of love. In His perfect love, there is perfect goodwill (kindness, favor, and blessing). When I repented of my sins and turned to Christ Jesus as my Savior, I was no longer subject to the fear of men. Why? For in God’s perfect love for me, there abides perfect goodwill for His children. His love and goodwill work together to guide, protect, and defend me. When I seek His face through Jesus, His Son, and repent, my life, circumstances, and outcome fall into the hands of a perfect Father. His perfect love and perfect goodness carry me with mercy the rest of my days and even into eternity. Perfect love casts out all my fears!
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. (1 John 4:18)
Why? Because a perfect God, who is ALL-knowing, guides my steps (The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Psalm 37:23). When others come to judge or persecute me, I can find peace in knowing that I am a child of the Most High and that He already has a plan for me. If we live outside of this love, it is not because of Him; it is because we have chosen to do so. God, being the Creator of all people, desires for ALL to abide in His love.
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. (1 John 4:16)
Even when we recognize our need for a Savior and desire a relationship with Him, it’s because He (God) willed it first! All things were not only created by Him, but He also sustains them. If a man is uncertain and doubts the need for a relationship with Him, he ought to consider Who gives him each breath. This soul-searching may lead him to discover the truth of God before his last breath is taken on Earth.
This love is so great that all things work together for the good of His children who love Him (Romans 8:28). This well-known verse reminds us that our sins have been washed clean, and from that day forward, all things are in His hands. Our trials, health scares, finances, and outcomes are all working together for our good. This means that even my mistakes and missteps are in His hands. In His hands is where we cast out all fear! No fear of loss! No fear of salvation!
In His great love, we find a perfect Father who is always working on our behalf, both here on Earth and in preparing a perfect home and body for us when we take our last breath. When we reflect on such a loving Father, we should remember that it is through His goodness that we are able to read this message! It is a profound truth that He sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins–sins He did not commit. Cast out your fears; He has already paid the price!
Have a blessed day!
Stephen L. Thomas