Love’s Perfection
“By living in God, love has been brought to its full expression in us so that we may fearlessly face the day of judgment, because all that Jesus now is, so are we in this world. Love never brings fear, for fear is always related to punishment. But love’s perfection drives the fear of punishment far from our hearts. Whoever walks constantly afraid of punishment has not reached love’s perfection.” 1 John 4:17-18
The meaning of “by living in God,” is more than just being saved. This is abiding love. You are in Jesus, and Jesus is in you. An intimate love that is fully expressed in your day-to-day life. All that Jesus is right now so are you in this world. Jesus is righteous, holy, pure, seated in heavenly places with all authority, and because of His grace you too are righteous, holy, pure and seated in heavenly places with all authority.
When you hear Pastor Tim say you are as righteous as Jesus and truly believe, it shows love has been perfected in your heart. Love never brings fear. If you fear the day of judgement, you can know love has not had its work in you.
When we let His perfect love pour over us and love us perfectly, we can face each moment in peace and confidence because we are choosing to be governed by Perfect Love. In Christianity, we’ve been taught to view judgement as a far-off day when we stand before Jesus to be judged for all of the decisions we’ve ever made. Truth, we face judgement every day. In each day there can be some sort of crisis or maybe a conflict with someone that can feel like judgement. A wrong decision that can feel like judgement. How we respond to these moments indicates which government we are living under. Do you live under the government of love or the government of fear? This is a question we will be in all week.
When you live under the government of love there is no fear of punishment. We aren’t waiting on a big day to stand before Jesus. If you have the right perspective of this beautiful, intimate union with Jesus you understand that you stand before Him every day. He walks with you. He talks with you. He guides you in your decisions. Learning to live under His government of love is a process. It is a decision you make every day until love has had its perfect work in you.
The government you live under determines the style, type and quality of decisions you make each day. We’ve been walking with Jesus for a while now learning we are His beloved and in some areas of our lives we can see we’ve grown in His love. Our decisions in those areas we are confident about, but we know there are areas we are still operating under the government of fear. Jesus wants you whole in every way. This comes by way of His love. Learning to let Him love us in these areas takes trust. He wants to build trust between you and Him.
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end. Isaiah 9
He is trustworthy. He is Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace! His government of love will only ever increase! Will you let Him guide you today out of those decisions you are making out of fear and draw you into His perfect love?
