Free Bible Commentary
“First John 4:18-21”
Categories: First John“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. We love, because He first loved us. If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.”
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In verse 17 the Apostle John explained that “perfect” or “mature” love gives us “confidence in the day of judgment.” If we love the Lord with a healthy reverence that prompts us to keep His commandments and care for His children, we have no reason to live in a state of fear. We need not be filled with terror for what people can do to us for following Jesus, even if they should kill us in their hatred (Matthew 10:28-29). We have no cause to tremble in the presence of God on the Day of Judgment if we live faithfully to Him until the day that death frees our immortal spirits from our temporal bodies (Revelation 2:10). We will not live in dread of the prospect of old age, life change, injury, accident, illness or loss if we have placed our confidence and trust in the Lord, because “perfect love casts out fear” (verse 19).
“Fear involves punishment.” In fact, fear itself is its own form of “punishment” or “torment”. When we live in fear of what bad things might happen to us here on earth, or even the torture of eternal suffering for the sins we have committed in the past, we traumatize and can even incapacitate ourselves with debilitating fear. While guilt and fear serve an important purpose in our lives, and indicate that our conscience is working correctly, once they lead us to obedience to the Gospel, and repentance of our sins, we can and should let go of them. Fear of eternal punishment is good motivation to turn from sin and to God for forgiveness, “but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected” (1 John 2:5); and that perfect love should cast out fear (Romans 8:15). Fear that produces reverence for God is a blessing. Fear that cripples us spiritually and emotionally is the tool of the devil (Hebrews 2:15). If you are a faithful Christian who serves the Lord in love, truth and obedience, God has forgiven you of your sins. Forgive yourself so that you can be of the most use to Him as possible.
“We love God because He first loved us” (verse 19). God initiated the loving relationship that we have with Him, and He consummated His love for us when He “sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (verse 10). The love that wells up within our hearts and minds for the Lord who saved us should overflow to our brothers and sisters who make up His body. Loving our brothers and sisters in Christ is inextricably interwoven with loving God. If we do not love our brothers who we can see and hear and touch, we cannot truthfully say that we love our God who dwells in a realm outside of our physical sight and reach. God “lives in unapproachable light” (1 Timothy 6:16), and no one has seen Him at any time (verse 12). But, the person who has seen Jesus has seen the Father (John 14:9). And, in a very real sense, if you have seen the brother who has the Lord “abiding” in Him, you have seen Jesus (Matthew 25:40). To treat our brothers and sisters in Christ hatefully, or to see them in need and refuse to help is to close our hearts against them (1 John 3:17). A heart whose door is closed to and cannot be touch by the plight of another is devoid of love for both brother and God.
Matthew 25:40 reminds me of a poignant song we used to sing as school children about the judgment scene depicted in Matthew 25:31-46. The title of the song is “Whatsoever You do to the Least of My Brothers” and the lyrics are uplifting and chilling at the same time:
Stanza: Whatsoever you do to the least of your brothers,
That you do unto me!
Whatsoever you do to the least of your Sisters,
That you do unto me!
Verses: When I was hungry you gave me to eat.
When I was thirsty you gave me to drink.
Now enter into the home of your father.
When I was tired you helped me find rest.
When I was worried you calmed all my fears.
Now enter into the home of your Father.
When I was lonely, to me you did speak.
When I was troubled you listened to me.
Now enter into the home of your Father.
When I was homeless you opened the door.
When I was naked you gave me your coat.
Now enter into the home of your Father.
When I was laughed at, you stood by my side.
When I was happy, you shared my joy.
Now enter into the home of your Father.
Please read 1 John 5:1-4 for tomorrow.
Have a wonderful day!
-Louie Taylor
