Photo: Martha G. Brady
There is no fear in love,
but perfect love casts out fear.
For fear has to do with punishment,
and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
We love because he first loved us.
I John 4:18-19 (ESV)
This is what our sermon ended with last Sunday. The idea that we would give ourselves for another person is not normal. We don’t think that way. We are naturally focused on ourselves and our own interests. How would we even know how to live that way? The only answer is Jesus Christ. He showed us how to do it.
And if we are “loving” others out of fear…of what others think or fear that we aren’t doing enough (we never can! apart from trusting Christ alone for forgiveness of our sin) or any other reason rooted in fear, it isn’t really love.
Christ’s love was initiated by Him long before we were “cleaned up”. We were a mess. That’s when He loved us…and reached out to us.
And that’s what grace is all about.
Good Word and good way to share it. Thanks MUCH!!
thanks joanne:) nice you stopped by on our rainy day.
Yes! Initiated by *HIM* long before we were ever cleaned up. So thankful for this simple yet profound truth tonight. Bless you, Martha!
abolutely dana! i’m so glad He did too!
Such truth spoken here, Martha! For fear is a lousy platform for decision making, for thriving, for love. Thank you for your heart words this evening!
thanks for stopping by linda:) seems so sensible, but takes a long time to learn…love and fear can’t live together!