“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.” (1 John 4:18)

Today’s verse looks at love as both an action and a result. In this context love represents a paradoxical choice often referred to as the “double-edged sword.” The working edge of the sword is the idea that “perfect love drives out fear.” In fact, John writes that “there can be no fear in Love.” Which makes sense because the word fear is defined as; an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat (from Oxford Languages). And love will not be threatening nor will it be dangerous. So by definition, there cannot be fear when love is present. But the catch to this verse is found in the ending. “The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” This is the sharp edge found on the back side of the sword. While perfect love casts out all fear, the presence of fear means that perfect love has not yet been established. So on the one side, love casts out fear. But if fear remains, love is not complete. As humans we experience this almost every day. We love and are loved by others, but the imperfect love of mankind still leaves room for fear to exist. This is why we turn our focus to God, who does love us completely. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39). Today know that God loves us perfectly. When fear rises in your life, cast out the doubt and place your faith in the complete love of our savior Christ Jesus.