"Brief Devotions For Busy Lives" by Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson: 1 John 4:18-21

 April 28

"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. We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister." - 1 John 4:18-21 (NIV)

Many situations evoke fear. We lived in a fear filled culture with a media that often increases fear by starting nightly news programs with fear provoking situations. Even though a storm may be nowhere near, the nightly newscast often portrays it as a current national disaster affecting everyone. Yet if we are ever afraid of the future, present, or past we can remind ourselves of God's love. We know he loves us perfectly. We can resolve our fears most effectively by first focusing on his immeasurable love for us, and then allowing Christ to love others through us. Only God's love and assurance of protection can ever truly quiet our fears and give us confidence. Finally, we can rest assured John is correct when he says, "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear".

However, in many unstable fearful situations including attacks or terrorist threats, we can act unwisely in ways that hurt others. Fear can spread like wildfire then causing great harm as fear of Jews did in Nazi Germany. Yet God's love is the source of all human love, and it too can spread like wildfire. In loving us, God kindles a flame in our hearts. We can then love others, warmed by God's love in us. It is easy to say we love God when it doesn't cost anything more than church attendance. But the real test of our love for God is how we treat the people around us in our family, community, and country. We cannot truly love God if we neglect to protect all those God created in his image, including those who act or look different from us.

Prayer: Lord, Free me from Fear with perfect love. Amen.

Meditation For The Day: Fear can kill. Love can heal.

Brief Devotions For Busy Lives: Daily Spring Renewal Paperback – February 21, 2017, by Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson (Author)