| Fear vs. Love May 10, 2006 |
1 John 4:18 NKJV There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. "In this corner, we have the Challenger wearing black and brown shorts. His name is Fear. And in this corner, we have the Champ of all Champs wearing red and white shorts and his name is Love! So let's get ready to rumble!" Fear is always trying to knock out love, but it can never win. Love is too powerful. For example, fear could have kept Jesus from doing what He came to do by making Him afraid of facing the wrath and disappointment of God. But it was Love that empowered Jesus to stay on the cross and die for us. It was also Love that caused Him to rise up again and go to prepare a place for us with Him in Heaven. Fear immobilizes, but it is Love that empowers. This is how perfect love works. The love of God casts out all fear, allowing us to finally grasp that God loves us no matter how much we mess up. Then we are able to feel free to step out and do the things that God has called us to do. We will no longer have fear holding us back because as long as we are trying to please God in our actions, it doesn't matter if we mess up. The fear of messing up will be gone and we will be assured that our God loves us no matter what. Love makes us feel as if we can accomplish anything and when it comes to the person we are in love with, we usually can. However, Fear makes us put ourselves in a jail cell, and even though the door is already unlocked we refuse to walk out of it. Fear immobilizes us to the point that we feel that it is better to stay where we are than to see what's on the other side of the cell door. We let fear cause us to be afraid to do anything by faith and without faith, it is impossible to please God, and that is exactly fear's purpose. But thankfully, the love of God can break us out of any jail cell. Love knows how to get us where we need to go. Love can give us the push that we need to walk by faith and tell others about God's goodness! And even though, Fear will always continue to challenge Love, the title belt will never belong to him. Love will always be the ultimate victor because God is love and no other can ever take His place. I hope you enjoyed reading the word of God in a new light. Have a Happy Wednesday! God Bless, Min. Tommy & Sis. Shatika Gray Scripture Reference NKJV Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. |