There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.
1 John 4:18
And now we come to my favorite passage in John’s letter. This single statement contains four indisputably important lessons on which all believers in Jesus should meditate and digest.
- There is no fear in love!
First, “there is no fear in love.” What a powerful and remarkable statement. However, for some believers, fear is very much entrenched in their thinking and living. One of the most popular passages used by some to incite fear in the life of the believer is found in Matthew. Consider the words of Christ:
Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’
Matthew 7:21-23
There are three considerations that we need to make regarding this passage. First, Jesus is speaking in the context of dealing with false teachers. John has already given us what we need to know regarding those who masquerade as followers of Jesus. False teachers will not regard Jesus as the Son of God, Messiah, and Savior of the world.
Secondly, consider the appeal that is being made on the part of those who stand before Jesus. Putting aside the specific actions in which they claimed to be a part, their cry is, “Didn’t we…didn’t we…didn’t we!” Three times they appeal to what they had done rather than acknowledge what Christ had done for them. This is actually what will play out for those who trust in themselves and the philosophy of “good works” as a means of being accepted by God.
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, is Jesus’ response to these people. “I never knew, depart from Me.” If we belong to Jesus, having been born again, even for one day of our lives, He is not going to say, “I never knew you.” This passage of scripture is for those who pretend to be followers of Jesus, who rely on their own works rather than on the finished work of the cross. These individuals were never known by Christ, which means that they were never saved. This passage should not be a cause for anxiety or doubt on the part of the believer.
- Perfect love casts out fear!
Along with the reality that “there is no fear in love” is the truth that “perfect love cast out fear.” To my knowledge, there is only one passage in all of the Gospels in which Jesus actually tells us to fear. Consider the following:
Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.
Matthew 10:28-31
Jesus is contrasting the fear of mankind to that of fearing God. He tells us to “fear the One who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” But again, His reason for saying this is found in the command for us not to fear others. And immediately following this statement to fear is the instruction “so do not fear.” And why should we not fear? The reason is because we are valuable to God. Even in the context of telling us to fear God, Jesus tells us “not to fear.” The perfect love of God always casts out fear.
- Fear involves punishment!
Just in case we are confused as to what kind of fear John is referring, the next statement provides clarification. “Fear involves punishment.” The fear that is not found in love, the fear that perfect love drives away, is the fear of punishment from God. Contrast being fearful of eternal punishment with the words of Paul:
Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
2 Corinthians 3:4-6
As believers in Jesus, we are to have confidence toward God. This security comes not from ourselves rather it comes from God through the finished work of Christ on the cross. When we fear eternal punishment, we are proving ourselves to be in the category described in John’s last statement.
- The one who fears is not perfected in love!
When we fear, we are demonstrating that we have not been perfected in love. While we remain less than perfect in this life, the perfect love of God should be strengthening our spirit as we go through the process of spiritual growth and maturity. As we walk the road of following Jesus, will always face times of failure and discouragement. But it is the finished work of Christ on the cross and our reliance on Him that provides us with the spiritual resources to put the past behind us and to continue down the road to spiritual maturity. Consider the words of Paul:
Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.
2 Corinthians 4:16
As we operate in our imperfection, the perfect love of God should be providing us with spiritual strength, confidence, and daily renewal.
There should be fear of eternal punishment. It should be found in the life of an unbeliever. However, for the born again believer in Jesus, there should be no fear rather confidence and security. How are you living? Have you found the perfect love of God that casts out all fear? Call on Him today and begin walking in the spiritual strength that comes from living apart from fear!
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