“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”
1 John 4:18
Love is the key to eliminating fear in our lives. It is the most powerful force in the Universe because GOD IS LOVE. When we operate in the God kind of love, we are positioned to get God’s results. “Beloved , let us love one another for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation of our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.” 1 John 4:7-12
When we get the revelation of how much we are loved by God, it helps us to believe His promises. It is the kindling to our faith, just as wood or charcoal is the kindling to a fire. Without the kindling, there can be no fire. Without love, faith will not work, for faith works by love. (see Galatians 5:6). This is why it is so important to develop and protect our love walk and to meditate on how much we are loved by God. God wants the best for us. Psalm 35:27 says: “Let them shout for joy and be glad, that favour my righteous cause, yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.” When we understand how much He loves us and wants the best for us, it helps to ignite our faith in His promises. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) says: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
As we get filled up with His love in our hearts, it spills over into the lives of those around us. It is so important to understand the love of God towards us and how much He wants us to live a blessed life. Jesus tells us in Mathew 7:7-11: “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”
It is easy for most parents to understand this scripture. Any good parent only wants the best for their children. They want their children to live successful, joy filled lives. No good parent hopes that their child will become destitute or live a life of pain and sickness. Jesus points this out in Mathew 7, because he wants people to understand, if those who are not perfect are able to desire the best for their children, how much more will God, who is perfect, desire and give the best for us! As believers in Christ, we are His children. It is so important to understand His perfect will for us is to be blessed. That He loved us so much that He was willing to give His only begotten son to suffer for our sins! (See John 3:16) There is no greater gift someone can give than their only child! Yet, God did this for us, and now instead of having one child, he has countless children.
Once we develop in this love, it becomes easy to believe God’s promises. As a result, we become filled with joy instead of fear, because we know that God is on our side! “If God be for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31
In addition, if we are not walking in love towards others, then this can affect our faith walk and faith results. It opens the door to fear. Fear is toxic to faith. In order to irradicate the fear, the first thing we need to check is our love walk. Have we allowed any bitterness or unforgiveness into our lives? If so, then we need to repent, forgive, and meditate on scriptures that help us develop that love in our hearts. When we became born again, we received the love of God shed abroad in our hearts as part of the fruit of the spirit. (see Galatians 5:22-23 & Romans 5:5). We must then protect and nourish that love by allowing it to develop. When we take actions that demonstrate love, we are then developing that love. 1 Corinthians 13 beautifully describes what love is. This is a wonderful verse to confess every day in the first person. As we continue to obey the Lord by walking in love, then there becomes no place for fear to enter. The door to fear is closed. Fear can not live where love abides. If you aren’t already, begin confessing 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a over yourself every day along with Ephesians 3:14-21. Determine to walk in the God kind of love. Meditate on God’s love for you. Then watch as your faith ignites, and fear is destroyed!
Further Reading: 1 Corinthians 13, Galatians 5:14-15, Mathew 22:35-40, Mark 12: 28-34, Ephesians 3:14-21
