"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." 1 John 4:18  

This text speaks of hate and love. We might hear St. John say. "Perfect love casts our hate." Instead the Holy  Spirit directed him to write, "Perfect love casts out fear."    

 Ordinarily hatred lurks like a wild animal in the dark recesses of our hearts. Our new nature in Christ builds a fence that keeps it confined. But if a coworker seems to threaten our job then fear opens the gate for hate to spring out.    

So we must get rid of fear. The LORD has overcome the thing we fear most: death and Judgment. We can have boldness in the Day of Judgment because the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. God's love takes the place of fear in our hearts. We can say with confidence,  "The LORD is on my side, I will not fear; what can man do unto me?" Released by this perfect love of God in Christ from the fear of our neighbor, we are free to love him instead.    

 Christian friends, We're forgiven for all our sins, held fast by God's love, and destined to enjoy eternal fellowship with Him, not because of anything we have done but because He has done everything for us. "In this love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us"  Now that's perfect love!  

O love that casts out fear,                                                                               O love that casts out sin.                                                                         Tarry no moe without,                                                                                But come and dwell within.

 THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - We can never express our love too often.

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG.
Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.23.16/1446 - Release Date: 5/16/2008 7:42 AM