Ask yourself this question: Is there any fear in my life? The answer to this question will always be “yes” because we all experience some level of fear. I believe that we all undergo the effects of fear even more than we are consciously aware of. I believe that medical science is just starting to scratch the surface in understanding the negative ramifications that fear causes in our body, our mind, and our life in general. Fear inhibits us from initiating contact with other people, it impedes our ability to take positive action in our lives and it tamps down our desire for adventure. Clearly our lives would be greatly enhanced if our fears were eliminated or greatly reduced. Because the scriptures tell us repeatedly not to fear we know what God’s will is in regard to fear. He wants it completely out of our lives. So if we realize that we have fear that greatly diminishes our life experiences and God wants that fear removed then why is it still there? Are we so insane that we will accept weakened and debilitated lives because we choose not to believe our heavenly Father? Since we desire a fear-free abundant life wouldn’t it behoove us to find out from the scriptures God’s way of getting rid of our fear?

As believers in Jesus Christ we know that we have the Spirit of God who will guide and direct us into all Truth. He has given us the Word of God to transform us as we partner with Him. All of God’s Word is true and it is appropriated into our lives through faith.  Our part is to mediate on the promises of God and to believe that what He said about us is true. As we spend time in His presence mediating on His Word we will receive deeper revelation of the Truth.

1 John 4:18 (NIV) “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives (casts) out all fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”  What is said here is quite stunning. Do not gloss over it so quickly. He is telling us that all fear will be driven out of our lives as we become perfected in love. This is the point at which many in the church go off into a ditch. They start doubling their efforts to love God and their fellow man more. However this verse is not about our love toward God but about God’s love towards us. This is a huge distinction and one that should be noted clearly. Fears shrinks in our lives the more that we understand the depths of God’s love towards us. Many believers see God as harsh and unloving. They think that God is waiting to punish them whenever they step out of line.

We understand a bit more about this as we look into the verse that precedes this one. 1 John 4:17 (KJV) 17 “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as He is, so are we in this world.” Our love is perfected in this world as we come to realize that “as He is so are we.”  That is one of the promises of God that simply staggers the imagination. Actually it is not a promise at all but a fact. God is telling us that when He looks at us He see Jesus! As Jesus is right now – glorified, seated at the right hand of God far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, free of shame and condemnation – so are we. We have been placed in Christ Jesus. Jesus was punished for our sins once and for all and He will never need to be punished again. Jesus took our full punishment and we have been declared righteous in the courts of heaven. This is the crux of the gospel. Fear will flee as we keep our eyes on Jesus and we become mindful that we are now under the unclouded favor of our Father.