The Antidote for Anxiety and Depression: Trust in Abba Father’s Care – Pt 13
Fear Not, God Loves You!
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.
– 1 John 4:18
When I was an adolescent and a young Christian, I read in the Bible about God’s love for humanity and saw how Jesus’ ministry was characterized by love. I was so mesmerized with the results of Jesus’ ministry – signs, wonders, and miracles that I wanted to experience the same. I wanted to live a life of love like Jesus did so for many years and even up to this day my daily prayer has been, “Lord please let Your love be shed abroad in my heart according to Romans 5:5. Not only have I been praying this prayer but I also literally look for opportunities to love others and to demonstrate that love.
When I first started to pray this prayer, I had not a clue the implications of it. I just wanted to be like Jesus, and I still do. Only now, I have an understanding of what it means to love with God’s love after first loving myself.
You see, ironically, I had cultivated a life of God’s love towards others and became mature in love (so I thought) but I was not in love therefore, I did not feel loved. I thought no one loved me. There I was giving love and not in a place to receive love so fear took a hold of my heart, mind and emotions. I know this sounds complicated so let me try to explain further. I believed that others deserved to be loved so I went all the way out to love others but I was so wounded in my soul that I did not believe I deserved to be loved so it was difficult for me to accept love because I was afraid, yet, my perception was that no one loved me so I felt used, taken for granted and unappreciated by the people I loved, which was a lie straight from the devil.
In previous devotions it was mentioned that Paul in 2 Timothy 1:7 expressed that the spirit of fear is not from God, instead God has given you the spirit of love. Also, in Galatians 5:22, Paul listed “love” when he mentioned the fruit of the Spirit. He stated, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love…” Love is the first portion of the fruit of the Spirit – that must be something significant!
Likewise, John stated in 1 John 4:18 that “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: … He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
The word “perfect” used by John in this verse is the Greek word teleo. It means perfection, completion, or something that is ripe, and mature (Renner, 2003).
The word “love” used in 1 John 4:18 as well as in 2 Timothy 1:7 and Galatians 5:22 mentioned above is the Greek word agape. This is the word primarily used in the New Testament to portray the love of God. There is no greater love than this. John in John 15:13 stated that “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends”. God’s agape love is the most excellent and highest love there is.
Renner, 2003 postulates that agape occurs when an individual sees, recognizes, understands, or appreciates the value of an object or a person, causing the viewer to behold this object or person in great esteem, awe, admiration, wonder, and sincere appreciation. Such great respect is awakened in the heart of the observer for the object or person he is holding that he is compelled to love it. In fact, his love for that person or object is so strong that it is irresistible. Agape love is so deep that it goes way above and beyond anything to demonstrate that love to its recipient.
This expression of love is mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13. A portion of Scripture that is often used on various occasions especially at weddings but not often demonstrated and lived by some Christian – sad to say. No wonder the hearts of so many are gripped by fear, anxiety and depression, and so many marriages end in divorce.
Friends, 1 John 4:18 suggests that when you are in the agape love of God which is ripe, mature, perfect, or complete, and you have come into the maturity, or completion, or perfection of God’s agape love, fear cannot dwell in your hearts, minds, and emotions because fear is cast out by the perfection, or completion, or maturity of God’s agape love.
Where are you today? Are you dwelling in the agape love of God? Have you been made complete, mature, or perfect in God’s agape love? Or are you a slave to fear?
If you are a slave to fear then today is your day of deliverance. God has already made you free with His agape love when He sent His only Son Jesus to be the ransom for your sins. According to John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”. This verse articulates the ideal demonstration of God’s agape love for you. Fear not, God loves you!
Shalom!
MY PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father oh how wonderful it is to be loved by You! Your love is perfect, unconditional, everlasting, faithful and great. I am so grateful for Your love for me. There is no greater love than this. Today, I boldly declare that because I am loved by God my mind is delivered from the spirit of fear. Therefore, I lead a peaceful and victorious live in Christ Jesus. I pray this by faith in Jesus’ name with thanksgiving. Amen!
