There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and the one who fears has not been made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18, TLV
The Perfect Love We Don’t Talk About. This verse is deep. Typically — me included — folks don’t contextualize the “perfect love drives out fear.” Instead, we focus on God’s loves casts out fear. But the rest of the verse is pretty important. Why? Because it has to do with repentance.
If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar. For the one who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him: that the one who loves God should also love his brother. (vss. 20-21)
Let’s face it, even though we may be brothers and
sisters in Messiah, we don’t always get along. If things aren’t resolved, it can escalate into something worse. We may candy coat the offense, but if left untended it will turn into the unthinkable, hatred. And that means we cannot truly love God. That is a sin. And it requires repentance. Otherwise, our spirit will be fearful that we have an unrepentant sin.
If we’re feeling a fear that the thought of God’s perfect love cannot remove, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any unresolved “hatred” or offense we have against someone. Then, as difficult as it may be, forgive, repent, and seek resolution and restoration, where possible.
These things do not mean we are in close fellowship again, but when we see them or we are together in services, that sense of offense or hatred should be gone. We will be free to love and receive God’s love once again. There’s nothing to fear in that.
If we are to ever be true examples of Yeshua’s love, then beginning with our own “family” is worth thinking about, don’t you think?
Please Don’t Hate Me . . .
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors do the same, don’t they? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than anyone else? Even the pagans do that, don’t they?” Matthew 5:43-47, TLV [Emphasis Mine]
Just a reminder that Yeshua also said we are to love our enemies — so if we harbor hatred for them as a person or people we must forgive. Does that mean we understand or condone their sins or actions? No — especially with the current situation with Hamas.
Should we speak out against injustice and defend the innocents? Absolutely.
Forgiveness keeps our hearts clean of fear and hatred and therefore open for the Holy Spirit to use us.
