Perfect Love

1 John 4:13-19

I don’t doubt God’s love for me.  I grew up saying, “I am a child of God,” and I confidently repeat those words often.  My difficulty arises in verse 16, “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.”  I know God loves me, but I don’t always rely on it.  When I’m struggling, I tend to look for strength within myself, in others or in things.  I forget where my strength lies.

Maybe that’s why anxiety and fear have played a much larger role in my life than I’d like to admit. When I read in verse 18, “The one who fears is not made perfect in love,” it makes me cringe.  I know I’m not perfect and fear has taken over my heart on too many occasions, but I would like to be made perfect in love. I want the peace that God can bring. So, how does that happen?

The Message translation states, “Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life is one not yet fully formed in love.”  Not YET fully formed – so there is hope.  It’s not too late!  God is working on me and doesn’t give up.  I believe he works on each of us every day.  Some days we get it and some days we don’t, but he loves us no matter what.  God is love and love doesn’t abandon.  One day we will be fully formed in love.

Jeremiah 29:13 talks about finding God when we seek him will all our heart. Father, I am your child.  Continue to transform me each day to know your love more and more.  Cast out my fears, so I may love you perfectly with my whole heart. Amen