1 John 4:18

First John chapter 4 has a clear progression. It begins with discernment of spirits in verses 1 through 6. John warns that not every spirit is from God, so believers must discern what they hear. Those who belong to God confess Jesus Christ has come in the flesh and listen to the truth. Then John moves to the source and nature of love in verses 7 through 12. Love originates from God, and those born of God love others. Next comes assurance of abiding in God in verses 13 through 16. God gives His Spirit as assurance that we abide in Him and He in us. Finally, the chapter reaches its climax with confidence before judgment in verses 17 and 18. When you believe in Christ and live in God's love, that love begins to grow you. And as it grows, it produces confidence before God, not fear of judgment.

In 1 John 4:18, John contrasts confidence before God with fear of judgment. Throughout the bible, the "fear of the Lord" often refers to reverence, awe, and humble obedience we should have toward God. Proverbs 1:7 says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." The fear mentioned here recognizes and acknowledges God's holiness and power. When we have this fear (reverence) towards God, we love and respect His authority and presence so much that we do not want to dishonor Him. On the other hand, in 1 John 4:18, the fear is specifically referring to the fear of punishment. While it is good to have reverence for God, being fearful of God's punishment and judgement is not a healthy kind of fear. This kind of fear does not come from God.

Today, if there is any part of us that is fearful of God's punishment, we should remember that God is gracious and merciful. He is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love (Psalm 145:8). He is Your father. You are His child. When you go before Him, He is a gentle, kind, and thoughtful Father who loves you well. If you have not yet personally experienced the love of God the Father, ask Him in prayer to show you His heart, so you can come to Him as His beloved child and trust Him. If you ask, God will surely give. When you go before Him as His beloved child, God pours forth His perfect love, and that love has the power to cast out all fear.

"There is no fear in love" (φόβος οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν τῇ ἀγάπῃ / phobos ouk estin en tē agapē)

"Fear" is the Greek word phobos. This refers to the fear of punishment and dread of rejection. This kind of fear does not come from God. John calls us to cast this fear out with God's perfect love.

"Perfect love casts out fear" (ἡ τελεία ἀγάπη ἔξω βάλλει τὸν φόβον / hē teleia agapē exō ballei ton phobon)

"Perfect" is the Greek word teleia, meaning complete and mature. It describes love that is no longer conditional or uncertain. "Casts out" comes from the phrase exō ballei, a strong expression meaning to drive out or expel. Fear does not gradually fade away when love arrives; it is actively driven out. When God's love is experienced fully, fear of punishment cannot remain.

"Because fear has to do with punishment" (ὅτι ὁ φόβος κόλασιν ἔχει / hoti ho phobos kolasin echei)

"Punishment" is the Greek word kolasis, which refers to penalty or judgment. It is fear rooted in the expectation of divine punishment. But God did not send His Son to condemn the world, but to save it (John 3:17). When this truth is grasped, fear loses its hold.

"He who fears is not made perfect in love" (ὁ δὲ φοβούμενος οὐ τετελείωται ἐν τῇ ἀγάπῃ / ho de phoboumenos ou teteleiōtai en tē agapē)

"Made perfect" comes from teteleiōtai, meaning to be brought to completion or fullness. John is describing a spiritual condition. Fear of punishment indicates that God's love has not yet reached its full effect in that person's heart. Where fear remains, love is still in the process of being completed. The remedy is not putting in more effort but having fellowship with God the Father and receiving His love.

I declare that the words of 1 John 4:18 are true in my life.

• • I have reverence for God.
• • I come before Him as His beloved child.
• • I am held in the love of God the Father.
• • God's perfect love casts out my fear of punishment.

God,

I confess that I have at times been fearful of Your punishment and judgment. This fear did not come from You.

Today, I ask You to meet me as God the Father. I want to know the loving Father who delights in His children.

Pour forth Your perfect love into my heart. Cast out every fear of punishment that has held me back from approaching You with confidence. Help me to come before You as Your beloved child, knowing that You receive me with open arms.

Thank You that You sent Your Son to save me.

Thank You for the overflowing, exquisite joy that comes from being loved by You.

In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.