Bullets From The Bible 12-08-17

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1 John 4:18 says, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”

Fear and love are two things that do not go hand in hand. When one first comes to God, oftentimes it is a fear of eternal punishment in hell that keeps them doing right. The fear of punishment is a legitimate motivator and one that should constantly encourage us to obey. However there should come a point when we do what God commands out of love for Him instead of just a fear of punishment.

We see this same thing when raising children. Young children will often obey their parents out of fear of punishment. Yet there should come a day when the children grow in their love and respect for their parents and they obey them out of love...not fear. If a 25 year old child has to be threatened with punishment to respect his father then the love between the father and child is not what it should be. On the same token, if a Christian who has been a Christian for 30 years is constantly in fear of judgment, then their love for the father is not what it should be.

Another aspect of this love can be seen between a man and his dog. I have seen dogs that shy away from almost all people because they are afraid they are going to get kicked or hit. Yet when a dog is trained properly they will eventually behave without being afraid of their owner. The love between an owner and a dog will never be right if the dog is continually afraid of getting beat.

Likewise, a love between a husband and wife should not involve fear. Whether it is a fear of physical harm, emotional harm, or neglect. When love is what it should be a husband and wife will be perfectly comfortable with each other and will be bound together by their love.

There is no fear in perfect love!