A Perfect Love

Scripture:
1 John 4:18 — “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.”
 
Observation:
Perfect love is that which is found in an abiding relationship with God and God in that person. Perfect love abides in the life of a Believer because of what Christ has done upon the cross. It is that love which secures me on the day of judgment (v.17). It is that love which secures me each day until that final day of judgment. John was reminding the readers that there should be no fear in their lives, if they were living in an abiding relationship with Christ and his love was present in the life they were living. They were secure for they were His children.
 
Application:
There is a confidence which should be present in my life today. It is a confidence not found because of what abilities or strengths I might possess. It is only found in Christ and His presence within my heart and life. There is a security today because of His perfect love in me. When I abide in Him and Him in me, there is a perfect love present. It is a perfect love that I have received and it is a perfect love which I must extend to others (v.12). His work in my life must always be manifest in the love that I give to others. His love in me, being seen in my love for others should be impossible to separate today as I live my life for His glory.
 
Prayer:
Only You oh Lord can supply this type of a perfect faithful love which 1 John 4 proclaims for me to receive and to give away to others. Fill me today with the Spirit of God to love You and to love others the way Your example has set forth for me. I want to be a faithful channel of Your perfect love to others today. I have an adversary who will strive to thwart this work, but be strong in me today for Your glory alone.  

— Steve Parten, family pastor, Reservoir campus