There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears is not complete in love. We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:18–19 (CSB)
What causes you to be frightened? Are you afraid of the future, or maybe you are afraid that someone will find out about your past? Does change or new things in your life prompt fear and worry? John contrasts fear and love. They are incompatible. However, there are degrees of love. It is perfect love that drives out fear. But perfection is a concept that is difficult to grasp and understand.
Perfection is defined as “the highest possible degree of excellence,” indicating completeness and lack of deficiencies. It is a relative term used in various contexts, including biblical references.
Perfection means being complete in one’s nature, exemplified by how we assess a newborn’s health based on human standards, while a colt is judged by different criteria. However, this concept cannot be applied to God, as it implies limitations and suggests a created being. God transcends the idea of perfection, as there are no possibilities beyond Him.
John introduces the concept of perfect love. We know that God is love and so true sanctification reflects God’s love. Love is essential for a meaningful life, as one may possess many gifts but is nothing without love. John Wesley believed that the ultimate goal in religion is to seek more love.
We must learn how to evaluate love, such as returning good for evil, praying for enemies, and being supportive of others. Augustine’s view of love was that it is active and compassionate, he urged individuals to help those in need and be aware of others’ suffering.
There Are Many Causes of Fear
Fear and intimidation is a trap that holds you back. But when you place your confidence in the Lord, you will be seated in the high place. Proverbs 29:25 (TPT)
Fear comes at us out of the shadows from multiple sources. A guilty conscience can trigger fear when we know that we have violated God’s standards. Ignorance also produces fear. It could be children frightened by shadows or adults anxious about the uncertainty of the future. Personal weakness is a significant contributor. When we find ourselves in situations that are beyond our ability to manage, helplessness and fear follow.
People fear authority, but the Bible tells us that we are to submit to authority. Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. Titus 3:1 (NLT). Yes, we know that there are times when we must obey God, rather than man, but we must first take our cares and concerns to God in prayer. The early church prayed for boldness in the face of opposition, not for relief.
Fear does not come from God. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT). There is a proper place for fear. “Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he’s the one to fear. Luke 12:4–5 (NLT)
We must put fear in its proper place. Fear of man paralyzes, but the fear of God enables and empowers us for service.
Is Perfect Love Attainable?
We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19 (CSB)
God is love, and his love is perfect, but we are not perfect, nor are we able to love perfectly in our own strength and ability. Perfection is a strange and scary proposition. We must never think that we are the source of perfection, but the secret to finding perfect love is to learn how to abide in Christ (John 15:4-5).
The key to abiding in Christ is obedience. “Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. John 15:9–10 (LSB)
God’s love for us is perfect, but we are not, and yet Jesus told us: So then, be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:48 (NET). How is this even possible? Jesus said this after he turned conventional wisdom upside down: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘hate your enemy.’ Matthew 5:43 (NET)
Jesus went on to say that not only should we love our enemies, but we should also pray for those who persecute us: so that you may be like your Father in heaven, since he causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 5:45 (NET)
We can only love because he first loved us, but it also requires that we understand just how much God loves us. But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (NET).
God’s Love Is Perfect
See what great love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children—and we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it didn’t know him. 1 John 3:1 (CSB)
We explored the concept of perfect love as described in 1 John 4:18–19, emphasizing that perfect love drives out fear. Fear arises from guilt, ignorance, and personal weakness, but asserts that fear does not come from God. Instead, God gives a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline.
Although God’s love is perfect, humans cannot achieve perfection on their own; abiding in Christ and obeying His commandments is key. Jesus’ teachings challenge conventional wisdom by urging love for enemies and prayer for persecutors. Ultimately, understanding and accepting God’s love enables believers to overcome fear and strive toward perfect love through faith and obedience.
Steve Ekeroth