“18There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts our fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears have not been perfected in love.” – 1 John 4:18 (ESV)
The first six words tells us all we need to really know. Fear does not exist in the presence of love. In fact, the next six words tells us why; fear is sent away in the presence of perfect love. Why is it that people will run into burning buildings or place themselves in imminent danger, fear? That would be no. Fear causes us to freeze or run. We do it out of love and that love casts away the fear for ourselves as we take on the work to save others. And where is it that we find perfect love that casts out fear, in God of course.
“7Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” – 1 John 4:7-8 (ESV)
God is where I find the love that guides me through the adversity and difficulties in life. I am able to move forward where they may be a bit of apprehension as I cling to the idea that God will only ask me to do the things He knows I will do for Him. Those things may not come out as I plan them, but God’s plan will be realized and He will be brought the glory by my actions that I take out of love for Him and those involved.
In the business world that I am in, the word love is not necessarily a word that evokes the professional, stoic, business individual that is in most of our minds eyes. We tend to think of those that bark out orders and drive by way of fear and manipulation. The reality is that those tactics may work in the short run to get someone moving, when in the long term, it only demonstrates a punishment approach for not “doing as I say” from those in charge.
The more sustainable approach is one that contains the actions of love. That love that demonstrates care and understanding. That love that drives out fear. That love that is found in God.
“16So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17But the is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in the world.” – 1 John 4:16-17 (ESV)
We are in the world and the world is all around us, but that does not mean that we are of the world. With God abiding in us and we abiding in Him, there is no room for the fear that is in the world as it is cast out by love.
As you are in the world, what fears are holding you back? Are you frozen and apprehensive to move forward out of fear? What if you were to abide in God and accept God’s abiding in you to allow love to cast out the fear?
Trevor's Thoughts 