https://thelife.com/devotionals/perfect-love-expels-fear
Podcast Show Notes: Perfect Love Expels Fear - February 21st, 2025
Host: Sheyvah Rex
Theme: Understanding and experiencing God's perfect love to overcome fear, particularly fear of judgment.
Scripture: 1 John 4:16-18 (NLT)
"We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love."
Key Points:
God's Love and Trust:
The foundation is knowing and trusting in God's immense love.
"God is love" - this is His fundamental nature.
Living in God means living in love, and vice versa.
As we live in God, our love matures and becomes more perfect.
Confidence in Judgment:
Trust in God's love removes fear of judgment.
Confidence stems from Christ's sacrifice, not self-righteousness.
Living like Jesus through the Holy Spirit allows us to face God with confidence.
Reference to 2 Corinthians 5:10, and the day of judgement.
Fear and Incomplete Love:
Fear of punishment indicates a lack of full experience of God's perfect love.
Distinction between God's disciplinary chastening (Hebrews 12) and fear of eternal punishment.
The discipline from a loving father example used from Sheyvah's own life.
Application:
Reflect on God's love and place complete trust in it.
Allow God to cultivate a deeper love within.
Surrender daily to the Holy Spirit to become more like Jesus.
Meditation on 1 John 4.
Writing down a meaningful verse from the passage.
Keeping that verse visible as a reminder.
Call to Action:
Spend time meditating on 1 John 4.
Write down a verse that resonates with you and keep it visible.
Contact Sheyvah Rex via email at sheyvahrex@proton.me.
Check the website Sheyvahrex.com for contact information to text or call.
Closing Prayer:
Prayer for deeper understanding of God's love.
Prayer for complete trust in God.
Prayer for growth in love and Christlikeness.
Prayer for the removal of fear of eternal punishment.
https://thelife.com/devotionals/perfect-love-expels-fear
Boys, do we need to have a little talk?” My husband smiled and nodded with his eyebrows raised and head tilted towards our young sons, who had been bickering forcefully about something inconsequential.
They knew exactly what he meant and shook their heads, “No.”
Prior to this, he had only needed to administer discipline a few times with each boy before they could be brought into line with just that one question and look.
Our verses today speak of being afraid of punishment. The apostle John refers to the “day of judgment” which is when, as Paul wrote, “We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body (2 Corinthians 5:10 NLT). If, as John writes in today’s scripture, “we have put our trust in his love”, then “we will not be afraid on the day of judgment”. We will be able to face God “with confidence”; not self-confidence but confidence in his love which he showed by washing our sins away with the blood of Christ. He also enables us to “live like Jesus here in this world” through the power of the Holy Spirit.
The punishment mentioned in this passage is not referring to when God disciplines us to help us become holy. The kind of discipline my husband used with our children is mentioned in Hebrews twelve where you can read more about this chastening from God.
But, if we are afraid of eternal punishment in hell on the day of judgment, that means “that we have not [yet] fully experienced his [complete] perfect love.”
Dear Lord, Help me know in my heart how much you love me. Help me to put all my trust in your love. Thank you that you live in me and that my love for you becomes more complete as I continue to live in you. Thank you for removing my fear of eternal punishment and replacing it with confidence in your eternal salvation. Thank you for making me like Jesus more and more as I surrender to you daily.
Throughout this day: Spend some time meditating on this passage in I John 4. Write out a verse that is especially meaningful to you. Keep it where you will see it often.
please contact me at sheyvahrex@proton.me or check my website for the number you can text or call. Sheyvahrex.com
Thanks for watching Perfect King's Imperfect Princess!
Share this post