PERFECT LOVE DRIVES OUT FEAR

Passage: 1 John 4:16-21

Key verse: 18

NIV

16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

God is love.(A) Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.(B) 17 This is how love is made complete(C) among us so that we will have confidence(D) on the day of judgment:(E) In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear,(F) because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

19 We love because he first loved us.(G) 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister(H) is a liar.(I) For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen,(J) cannot love God, whom they have not seen.(K) 21 And he has given us this command:(L) Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.(M)

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

16 So (A)we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. (B)God is love, and (C)whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17 By this (D)is love perfected with us, so that (E)we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because (F)as he is so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but (G)perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not (H)been perfected in love. 19 (I)We love because he first loved us. 20 (J)If anyone says, “I love God,” and (K)hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot[a] love God (L)whom he has not seen. 21 And (M)this commandment we have from him: (N)whoever loves God must also love his brother.

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Footnotes
  1. 1 John 4:20 Some manuscripts how can he
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. No fear in love (16b-18)

Unconfessed, unforgiven sin in our hearts makes us fear death and fear judgment. But when we repent and receive God's gift of love, the atoning sacrifice of Jesus, our sin problem is solved and the basic fear that underlies all fear is cast out of our hearts. God's children who live in this world are growing in his image. We love our Father, and we know he loves us. His perfect love casts out our fear.

2. Because he first loved us (19-21)

Sin, fear and mistrust also keep us from loving other people. We can love God and love others because God first loved us. How amazing--that God could love dirty, useless sinners like us! Love for our brothers does not come naturally. So God gave us a command to be obeyed: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.

Prayer: Lord, wash my heart clean of all sin and fear and selfishness. Let your love dwell in my heart so that I can love my brothers and sisters.

One Word: Perfect love drives out fear