Read 1 John 4:13-21.

Today, we’ll take a look at the second impact that God’s love brings to our lives as laid out by the apostle John: God’s love expels all fear because fear has to do with punishment (see 1 John 4:18).

When I worked at a telephone company in Sydney in 1970, during lunch, most of my co-workers would head to the pub. But one co-worker and I would head over to the courthouse with our sandwiches and sit in the gallery. It was free entertainment. The usual cast of characters would appear, including the prisoner and the policeman. Then the judge would enter, in wig and robe, and the room would become solemn. But for us, we weren’t nervous at all. We had boldness to look at anyone. Why? Because our name wasn’t on the docket. As far as the law was concerned, we didn’t face punishment.

It’s similar to what John says in his epistle. Believers have escaped punishment through the grace of God—through the gift of His Son—through His perfect sacrifice. We have been pardoned eternally, saved from hell and to heaven. We have no fear, neither today nor in the day to come, because we have absolute assurance that our names are not among the accused. Our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Our names are engraved on His wounded hands.

That’s the kind of assurance we want to instill in our children: “I love you and nothing will ever change that.” Now, that doesn’t mean we won’t discipline and train our children, that we won’t teach them right from wrong. It means that our love is permanent—a small picture of the goodness and love of Almighty God.

Can you imagine if God the Son were terrified of God the Father? It’s beyond the realm of possibility. When you read the gospels carefully, you’ll see that Jesus, the Son of God, had an overwhelming desire to please His Father. That’s because He perfectly understood the perfect love of the Father for Him. When you and I develop confidence in the everlasting, undying love of God, we’ll find that far from living to please ourselves, far from living a mediocre Christian life, we’ll long to spend every waking moment to please our heavenly Father. If we would live in this way—the best way—we must look to Scripture and grasp with increasing understanding the love of God for us secured by the grace of Christ.

Prayer: Father, thank You that I can approach You boldly because I have been received as Your child. Jesus’ perfect sacrifice has made me a new creation—completely acceptable before You. I know Your love is sure, so I will not fear. May I keep this Truth ever before me so that I walk confidently and joyfully before You all my days. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“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).

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