“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear:”
I John 4:18a
Suggested Scripture reading – I John 4: 1-21
The preacher thundered from the pulpit. “For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” (II Corinthians 5:10) He was right and it frightened Martin. He had been saved for several years. He had tried to live for the Lord Jesus, and he really did love the Lord very much. However, if the truth be known, Martin’s Christian life had been very much up and down. He was glad for the times he had been faithful to the Lord. However, it seemed that there were more “down” times than there were “up” times. The thought of standing before the Lord to give an account of his life was disturbing to Martin. He knew the lies and his impure thoughts. He knew how often he had been angry and bitter. He did not want to stand before the Lord with all that on his record. He was afraid. Then the preacher smiled. He had told the people the truth, but now he could tell them the rest of the truth. Martin’s Lord loved him. Loved him very much. The preacher’s word’s continued, “Yes, we will give an account to the Lord for how we have lived. That thought is daunting. But let us never forget just how much Jesus loves us. When we remember His love it casts out our fear.”
Jesus wants us to be faithful and when we fail He reminds us of our responsibility. If we do not respond properly to His conviction the thought of accounting to Him is frightening, “because fear hath torment.” When we understand His love we realize that there is no need for fear. “Here in is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment:” (II John 4:17)
Child of God, Satan wants to defeat us and make us live defeated lives. When we focus on our failures we fear. Let’s focus on His love and live faithfully for the Lord Jesus. He loved us enough to die on the cross for us. Our lives will be more productive and we will be far more successful in our Christian living as we focus on Him. Let us focus on His love and remember;
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear:”
I John 4:9
“In this was manifested the love of God for us, because God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.”
