1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. Therefore, the one who fears is not made perfect in love.
The perfect love spoken of here in this verse is unconditional love, that is, love that comes from God. When we know this perfect complete love, we will not cower in fear of God's arbitration, being terrified about the Day of Judgment. As followers and believers in Christ Jesus, we know what judgment we deserve has already been paid for by Christ Jesus on the Cross of Calvary.
Some folks say, but what about all the verses in scripture that tell us we should fear God (Ecclesiastes 12:13; 1 Peter 2:17). The fear that the Apostle John is speaking of here is not the appropriate reverence we should show God; it is the opposite. The fear John tells of is plagued by torment and guilt because of the uncertainty of what lies ahead. Fear and love are as opposed to each other as the like poles on a magnet. Fear and love may be able to harmonize, but perfect love will never co-exist with fear. It would be impossible to come near to God in love and then try to avoid Him in a remorseful guilt-ridden fear.
Fear is an egotistical affair; it is more about oneself than about others; you might say that fear is a form of self-love because it focuses more on our well-being than on other people. From a human-to-human standpoint, the only thing that will remove fear from any relationship is a total acceptance of the other person. For a marriage to be successful, there must be an unreserved commitment to the acceptance of our mates. Complete and unconditional forgiveness is also critical and necessary for a relationship to remain transparent (Ephesians 4:31-32).
Perfect love is complete in and by the love of our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus and through His substitutionary work on our behalf, on the Cross of Calvary. Love is the most powerful demonstration of our fellowship with God that a believer can possess. We must understand that perfect love will never reach its uttermost summit until we are at home with Christ Jesus; it is a work in progress. When this evolvement and development shows in a child of God, there can be no room for fear because perfect love will place its faith and trust in Christ Jesus and not in itself. This faith and trust are not contingent on our human love since our essential refuge and sanctuary is in the love of God.
Love always dissipates fear because fear will never stem or begin from love. One mate does not fear the other in a marriage because they know their mate has their best interest at heart. They know that their mate will protect them at any cost and assure that there is a declaration that they love and cherish each other. God's love for His children will always include an assurance that He will be faithful to His Word and his promises to us. God's love for us will always work to banish our fear or fright of Him.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
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