DEVOTION – DAY 263

1 John 4:18 “God’s Love Removes Fears”

 

1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”

 

I know someone who is superstitious. He hates talking about death in case it will tempt death to visit upon him or his family and that bad luck would come to him. He would avoid attending wakes and funerals if he could, because he thought it attracted bad luck. He is an example of what the apostle John described as “the one who fears.” This person is fearful of death because he believes that there is judgment and punishment for bad things done in this world. So, to minimize his judgment and to get better karma, he does charitable acts, and he tries to be kind to others. He would try to follow a list of do’s and don’ts in order to gain merit before his idols.

 

The wonderful thing about Christianity is that Christians do not need to live in fear of punishment and death. This is because they have a relationship with the Living God. God loves mankind. But sin in every man, woman and child separates mankind from the Living God. God is holy. Mankind is unholy because of sin. God judge sin and mankind. The punishment is physical and spiritual death. But God in His mercy, love and grace sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross to atone for the sins of mankind. So, when anyone places their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, and that He died on the cross for their sins, God forgave their sins. Their sins have already been cancelled by Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross. That is why we do not need to fear death and punishment because of the perfect love of Jesus Christ.  

 

Apart from this man who is superstitious and fearful of death, I know others who are fearful when they have been diagnosed with critical illnesses like cancer, or heart disease. They are fearful of the possibility of dying. These are opportunities to share with them the love of God, and how perfect love through belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior can remove such fears.

 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us first whilst we were still sinners. Thank you that your perfect love conquers all fears. May we live a life of victory for your glory. In the wonderful name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

 

Questions

  1. What fears do you face?
  2. How has the love of God helped you to confront these fears?
  3. Who do you know have fears about ill health and death?
  4. How will you help such people who fear ill health and death? Will you share the gospel with them?