1 John 4:18,19

LOVE AND FEAR

‘Perfect love casteth out fear.’

1 John 4:18

This principle, that ‘perfect love casteth out fear,’ is a universal principle, and belongs to all human things. It is shown most completely in religious matters; but it is also true that, wherever love rules, there fear has no place; that we do not fear or suspect those whom we love; and that this is true of us just in proportion as our love is true and strong.

I. Trust in God, and confidence in Him, is really worship, even although we do not say a word or do any action, because it is an acknowledgment of His goodness and kindness; an expression of the soul’s feeling of safety when under His care.

II. Think how sweet this confidence in God is; how it sheds a new light and a new glory over the weary duties we have in this world; how much more firmly we can plant our feet in difficult times of trial. This life is a very weary thing at times to us all. There is so much hardness in the world, so much meanness and dishonesty, so much suffering—and to express all that I mean in one word, so much sin—that even the most contented is tempted sometimes to murmur, to ask what good he is doing in the world, and what he has to look to when he leaves it. And unless we have a thorough confidence and belief in God’s care for us, and His power and wisdom in so caring for us; unless we can always fall back, in times of trial, upon the sure belief that God has brought us into the world for our good and His own glory; that He is guiding us through the world for the same good and wise reasons, we cannot be wholly at rest.

III. And yet few persons know how little and how weakly they trust in God.—Most Christians take it so much for granted that they have a sure trust and confidence in Him that they never even ask themselves the question. But delay no longer to do so. Put off no longer a thing so important. Look into the depth of your own feelings, and consider what feelings you have towards God; whether you look to Him with trust and confidence—with that boundless and perfect affection which swallows up and destroys any fear for yourself—any fears arising from the past—any dim apprehensions for the future; whether, like a happy child, your souls dwell in faith and trust on what little we know of God; whether it is so with you—or otherwise; whether you think of Him with disquiet; whether you turn away from the idea as unwelcome of one day being brought face to face with Him; whether like a thundercloud in a calm sky the thought of God and of a judgment to come flits by your mind before you can banish it. And you will be very unwise if you simply turn away from the question I am speaking of—if you decline to question yourself thus. Remember it is a matter that will not be always put off. It is a question that waits an answer—but not for ever; that suffers itself to be put aside—but only for a time; and the longer that time the more difficult will it be when you come to answer at last—as answer you must!