PODCAST
Perfect Love Drives Out Fear
June 14th, 2017
1 John 4:7-21
What does it mean to be made “perfect in love”? John Wesley notes “What is Christian perfection? The loving God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. This implies that no wrong temper, non-contrary to love, remains in the soul; and that all the thoughts, words, and actions are governed by pure love.” [Works XI, 394]*
Our souls are designed for relationship with God. It is a relationship marked by integrity—of God, of ourselves, of our love. “Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching” is a maxim that should be true of all our relationships.
1 John 4 says, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”
Fear finds no room in a heart that is filled with love.
* W. Stephen Gunter, The Quotable Mr. Wesley, Atlanta [1999-2003]: Candler School of Theology, p 31.
Author: Phil Pinckard
