OF WHAT DO YOU FEAR?

Ptr. Erwin Concepcion

 

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1 John 4:18 (KJV)

 

                “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath                                  torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”

 

Reflect:

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1 John 4:18 is a familiar verse to many of us. But what does it really mean?

 

How does love cast out fear?

 

I submit to you that there are two sides to this verse. One from the point of view from someone who loves, and the other from the point of view of someone who receives the love.

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Firstly, when you truly love someone, wouldn’t you cast fear aside in it meant you could protect your loved one? Like a mother hen protecting her chicks from a snake, even we humans often put ourselves in the line of the very thing we fear in order to ensure the safety of the ones we love.

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Jesus is a perfect example of this.

There are not many things in the world that could trouble the Son of Man. But one trial really did weigh on Him – being separated from God. Yet, out of His love for His Father, out of His deep love for us, He still boldly went onto the Cross (Rom.5:8 / Phil.2:8).

 

Worry can lead to anxiety, and anxiety can lead to depression which can lead to health problem. This is never the will of God for His people. It is the opposite of love that God wants His people to experience and express (read 1 John 4:7-10).

 

How great is His sacrifice? How amazing is His love? Yet, while we strive to love as Jesus loved, we’re only able to boldly love others when we know how much God loves us.

 

For when you know that the Lord God Almighty loves you so much He’s willing to come down to earth in the form of Man and die for your sake, what is there to fear?

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If the God who crafted the mountains and the sea is protecting you, who’d be able to hurt you?

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If the God who created the streets of gold in heaven promised to supply all your needs, what can you lack?

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Have you ever seen a child who’s afraid of the dark being comforted by his mother? Just being in her loving arms soothes his soul and calms his spirit. For he knows that no matter what lurks in the dark, his mother will protect him. What more our Father in heaven?

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Yes, it is a fact that we sinned and fell short of His glory (Rom.3:23). But Jesus has already redeemed us through His blood (Eph.1:7)!

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How long more do we want to stay away from God’s loving embrace?

 

He’s waiting and pining for your return, eager to run towards you and throw His arms around you at His first sight of you (read the story of a prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32).

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Will you come to Him? Because once you do, all fear will be cast out.

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Whether its fear for your future, fear for your finances, or fear for the safety of your loved ones. God’s all ready to protect and provide for you.

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So come into His embrace today and rest in the assurance of His love.

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Prayer:

 

Father, it always amazes me just how much You love me. Why someone of Your power, stature, and authority would sacrifice so much for me is truly beyond me. And yet, You did. Your love for me is the only reason why I’m able to stand before You today. You’re the nourishment for my soul, the very air I breathe. Just knowing that You love me and that You’re with me brings comfort to my spirit. However great the problems in front of me may seem, I know that You are much much bigger. For truly nothing is too difficult for You Lord! And if someone like You loves me this much, what in the world could I fear? So I rest in Your love today. Bless me, protect me, and keep me. Teach me to love others as You love me. In Jesus’ Mighty Name, AMEN!