September 16: No Fear in Love
Scripture
We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first.
– 1 John 4:16–19 (NLT)
Do you know how much God loves you? John speaks with certainty: “We know how much God loves us.” But the truth is, many of us—even as Christians—struggle to grasp the depth of that love. When we don’t really know it, we also find it hard to trust Him. After all, trust flows naturally when we are convinced someone always has our best in mind.
The longer we walk with God, the more we begin to see His love at work in our lives. His love reshapes us. It makes us bolder, more confident, and less fearful. John tells us that perfect love drives out fear—because fear of judgment no longer has any place. The verdict has already been declared at the cross: “not guilty.” Jesus bore our punishment so that we could live in freedom, joy, and peace with God.
This love doesn’t just free us from fear; it also frees us to love others. John reminds us that, “We love because he first loved us.” When God’s love sinks deep into our hearts, it must overflow in real, tangible action. Love moves beyond words into daily life, showing mercy, offering forgiveness, and serving others as Jesus did.
What a gift we have received. We are loved without condition, freed from fear, and empowered to love others. Brennan Manning put it well: “Define yourself radically as one beloved by God. This is the true self. Every other identity is illusion.” When you know the God who is love, you can walk into every situation with confidence, resting in His perfect love and sharing that love with the world.
Reflection
1. Do you find it easy or difficult to believe that God deeply loves you? Why?
2. How has experiencing God’s love helped you grow in trust and overcome fear?
3. What is one way you can show God’s love in action to someone today?
Prayer
Thank God for the certainty of His love and the freedom it brings. Ask Him to drive out any lingering fear with His perfect love. Pray for His love to overflow through you in practical ways that point others to Jesus.
Footnote
¹ Brennan Manning, The Ragamuffin Gospel (Colorado Springs: Multnomah, 1990).