January 12, 2009

Love Makes Bold

“Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 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. We love Him because He first loved us. If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God [must] love his brother also.” (1 John 4:17-21 NKJV)

I can hardly bear to look at my life with all my past failures. I am not talking about worldly failures in accomplishing career goals or even personal development goals, but spiritual failures. Recounting all my past evils terrifies me.

Here is this passage true: without love for God and others there is no proof of salvation. Without proof of salvation, there remains a fearful expectation of judgment.

Do not excuse your fears too easily. “The heart [is] deceitful above all [things], And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9 NKJV) Rather let your fears guide you into a perfect relationship with your Heavenly Father.

God commands us to love. This is important because it means we have the responsibility and opportunity to repent of our lack of love. While it is true that God, in His sovereignty, moves upon His creation, as He desires for their good or leaves them to perish in their sins, it is equally true that He does no harm to the will of man. This means that you can repent if you so choose. Furthermore, you can be sure that if you are aware of your need to repent, there is opportunity for you to do so in the will of God.

In addition, God has defined love for us. “Love suffers long [and] is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NKJV)

This gives us measurable goals. Love suffers long. We can, in faith, practice longsuffering. Love is kind. We can, in faith, practice being kind. Love does not envy. We can, in faith, rejoice in the wellbeing of others.

Therefore, if love has not been perfected in your life, repent and cultivate it. Do not go on fearing the judgment. That is no way to live.

Begin by understanding the source of love. We love Him because He first loved us. You must see God as benevolent. Once you see His love for you, it is natural to love Him back. Of course, loving Him back means loving others, also.

Take some time today to confess your lack of love, and ask Him to guide you into that perfect love relationship. I have all confidence that He will not turn away those who seek Him. “But without faith [it is] impossible to please [Him], for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and [that] He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6 NKJV) Amen.