It is not difficult to find in Saint John’s First Epistle a broad exposition on love from the perspective of our Lord and God. In 4.17-18 we read: In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There will come a day when each and all of us will face God’s judgment for who we were and what we did or did not do in life.

The thought of facing such a day brings with it a strong sense of dread because of what we do not yet know of God and what he has in mind for us. But we are saturated with his love in order that we not fear that day: There is no fear in love. When we live in the love of our Lord and his love lives in us it is all but impossible to fear anything unknown ahead of us. It is enough to know that God knows what lies ahead.

There is absolutely no room for fear in the life of one who lives in the love of Jesus Christ: But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. When we entered a relationship with God based upon his love for us and our growing love for him the presence of fear was driven from our lives. There will be no punishment for those standing in Christ who are sustained by his love in their hearts.

There are only two possibilities if there is a presence of fear in the life of one of the Lord’s loved ones—either one does not reside in Christ Jesus, or there is an attempt by the enemy of God to bring about that presence by deceit: The one who fears is not made perfect in love. It is imperative that we reject fear on its face, thereby removing it from our presence, and by declaring the reality of our life in Christ Jesus.