There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love's complete perfection]. —1 John 4:18 You don't believe how much God loves you, if you are afraid of judgment, punishment or even afraid of Him. Fear comes from unbelief. Faith believes in the Good News that it is finished!There is so much joy and peace in believing in the Love of God through His Son, Jesus. Incredible relief is found in the Good News (Gospel). The love and mercy of God in Jesus washes away all fear of judgment and punishment. Knowing Him and the love that Paul describes in Ephesians 3:17-19 erases all torments and every trace of terror.
Some legalists/spiritual performers will quote scriptures from the Bible in order to control. Fear mixed with legalism will control. Scriptures like "working out your salvation with fear and trembling," (Phil. 2:12) and the story of Ananias and Saphira (in Acts 5) are used often by abusers to manipulate and support their own agendas and feed their desire for power. But we must remember that the Holy Spirit within every believer promises to give clarity and interpretation (the anointing within us so that no man may teach us -- (1 John 2:27). . . and Wisdom (James 1:5). He will faithfully and generously supply it so that we don't have to rely on another man's interpretation alone. We can easily go to the Writer and hear clearly what His heart and mind (the Mind of Christ) and intentions are conveying in His Holy Word.
Recently I asked the Lord regarding Philippians 2:12 and His first response to me was the Scripture quoted above . . 1John 4:18. And He also reminded me to read everything within it's context. The 13th verse of Philippians 12 states: "[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight." What, at first (v 12 alone), would seem to be a heavy yoke of personal performance and standards that need to be met, is actually (v13) a promise that this is not required to be done in your own strength. He gives us both the desire and the will to work for His good pleasure, satisfaction and delight . . . what a relief!
I let the peace of God . . . what I refer to as the RELIEF OF GOD . . . rule (or govern) my heart. Colossians 3:15 --And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (govern, control . . .act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which . . .you were called to live." When I feel His relief, I know I am standing in the grace, love and Good News of Jesus Christ. . . the easy yoke of the Gift of Eternal Life. This is the message of God given to us by His Son.
All Scripture must be interpreted through Jesus and by the Holy Spirit. Too many have indulged in abusive interpretations, including satan himself in the desert of Christ's temptations.
I end this entry with two blessed verses that I hope and believe will give us all relief and encouragement as well as strenthen our faith:
Romans 8:15 -- "So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” 16) For His Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. 17) And since we are His children, we are His heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory.
v26)" And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. . . . 28) And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. v 31)What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32) Since He did not spare even His own Son but gave Him up for us all, won’t He also give us everything else? 33) Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for His own? No one—for God Himself has given us right standing with Himself. 34) Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and He is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.
35) Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?. . . 37) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
38) And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."
35) Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?. . . 37) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
38) And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Epeshians 3:16-20 --"May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the Holy Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality].
17)May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love,
18)That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God's devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it];
19[That you may really come] to know [practically], through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!
20)Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]--"
17)May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love,
18)That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God's devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it];
19[That you may really come] to know [practically], through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!
20)Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]--"
May this perfect love of God remove all fear, condemnation and every trace of torment as you walk in faith and the blessed assurance that is ours in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Good stuff, Holly. I am reminded of something I read today by T. Austin Sparks: "I am not going to allow all the problems of sanctification to come over and destroy the great assurance of justification". That spoke to me because I often question God regarding this issue of sanctification. I am seeing more and more that in me - that is in my flesh - is nothing good or pure or holy. In fact, my flesh is downright wicked...trust me, it is. (Ha...at one time I actually felt that I scored pretty high on God's 'Holy-o-meter'). If we fully trust Him with our sanctification, we will find that He will use His divine and perfect methods to first create the desire, and then to conform us into the likeness of Christ. We don't look for results...we look only to Him the author and finisher of our faith.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment and encouragement. Together, we can rest upon Jesus' promise in John 6:39, "And this is the Will of God, that I (Jesus) should not lose even one of all those He has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day." I am convinced now in the all-sufficient adequacy of Christ as my Savior and Shepherd.
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