Our living God Pt 17: Perfect love
1John 4:15-21 15If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. 16And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 17This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18There 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. 19We love because he first loved us. 20Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
We rely on God’s love
In this passage, the apostle John emphasizes a central truth: God is love. This truth is powerfully evident as John explains the relationship between God's love, our faith, and how we should respond to both. This passage speaks to the heart of Christian living, showing us that love is not merely an attribute of God but His very essence. When we come to understand this, our entire outlook on life changes.
This is a foundational statement because it reveals that our relationship with God is not based on our works or efforts but on faith in Jesus Christ. Acknowledging Jesus as the Son of God is the key to dwelling in God’s love and experiencing His presence in our lives. But many people struggle with the idea of being fully loved, because in a world where love is often conditional, the idea that God’s love does not depend on our performance is revolutionary. God’s love is not earned; it is freely given. When we grasp this truth, we begin to rely on it in every aspect of our lives. We no longer feel the need to strive for approval or fear rejection, because we understand that we are already deeply loved by God. His love sustains us, strengthens us, and gives us the confidence to live boldly.
Perfect love drives out fear
But why is it so revolutionary that God’s love is unconditional? I suppose there are as many answers to that question as there are people who love God. But the main answers is fear. God came first as the Lamb and will come next as the Lion as he rids the world of evil. Fear of the Lion is natural, because we all want to please God and to be found acceptable by him. But unnatural fear often holds people back from experiencing the fullness of life. Fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of the future, all of these, can be overwhelming and paralyzing. This fear is paralyzing because we have never known the kind of love that doesn’t require us to do something. However, John reassures us that perfect love, God’s love, drives out fear. This means that as we grow in our understanding of God’s love, fear diminishes.
But what does it mean for love to be "perfect"? It does not mean flawless in the way we might think. Rather, perfect love is complete, lacking nothing. It is the mature love that God has for us and the love He desires us to cultivate. When we embrace this love, fear no longer controls us. We are free to live as God intended—boldly, joyfully, and without anxiety about the future.
It is important to note that this is not just about feeling loved, but about knowing and believing in God’s love on a deep level. When we truly accept that God loves us unconditionally, we no longer fear the uncertainties of life. We can trust that whatever happens, we are held securely in His hands.
But what does it mean to live ‘in God’? John tells us that to truly live in God, we must rely on His love. This means trusting that His love is constant, unwavering, and unconditional. Living ‘in God’ is something John refers to in his Gospel as ‘abiding’ (John 15). Living in this sort of love means submitting every single moment of our life to his jurisdiction. Whatever we do, think, or feel, we submit to Him because his love is so complete that he will provide everything we need.
Fear has to do with punishment
John makes a profound statement when he says, "Fear has to do with punishment." This means that when we live in fear, we are often concerned about consequences, about judgment, or about not being good enough. Many people struggle with a fear of God—not in the sense of reverence, but in the sense of anxiety about His judgment.
However, John is telling us that this kind of fear is not from God. If we have truly accepted His love, we do not need to live in fear of punishment. Christ has already taken the punishment for our sins on the cross. Romans 8:1 reassures us, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." If we belong to Christ, we do not need to fear God’s judgment because Jesus has already paid the price for us.
This truth is life changing. Many believers struggle with guilt and condemnation, feeling as though they must earn their place in God’s love. But John is making it clear: fear of punishment is a sign that we have not fully embraced God’s love. When we accept His love completely, we rest in the assurance that we are forgiven, accepted, and cherished.
This is not to say that we should take sin lightly. Rather, it means that our motivation for obeying God changes. Instead of obeying Him out of fear of punishment, we obey Him out of love and gratitude. A person who understands God’s love will naturally desire to live in a way that pleases Him—not because they are afraid, but because they are grateful for the love they have received.
What about me?
1 John 4:15-21 is a passage that speaks directly to the heart of what it means to be in a relationship with God. We rely on His love because it is the foundation of our faith. His perfect love drives out fear, freeing us to live with confidence and joy. Fear has to do with punishment, but in Christ, we have been set free from condemnation.
When we truly grasp these truths, our lives are transformed. We are no longer controlled by fear, doubt, or anxiety. Instead, we live in the security of God’s love, knowing that we are fully accepted and cherished. This love then flows out from us to others, as John states in verse 19: "We love because He first loved us."
As we move forward in our faith, let us remember to rely on God’s love, allow His perfect love to cast out fear, and rest in the assurance that in Christ, there is no fear of punishment. This is the freedom that comes from truly knowing God’s love—a love that changes everything.