Perfect Love - Cast Out Fear

In 1 John 4:18, we learn, “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.” Last week we learned God has the highest authority, but we also know God created us in His image and gave us authority over creation. The part we often miss in the creation account (Genesis 3) is the fact that the first humans did not question God’s authority to give authority – but Satan certainly did!   

So, just why is this so important and how does it help cast out fear? In Isaiah 45:5-8, Isaiah quotes God, “I am the Lord and there is no other…” In other words, He created everything and as a result, has authority over it all – including mankind. The fact is authority proves doctrine – and doctrine without the proper authority is NOT truth.

 In John 1, we learn the Word was and is Jesus. The Word has all the attributes of God including His authority. The Word is God – the highest authority. In Matthew 28:18-20, we find, “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Jesus is the ultimate authority – He had all authority before creation, while on earth in human form, and now on throughout eternity. 

You may have heard others say or may have even said it yourself, “God’s Word is our authority.” And yet, we read in 2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” God’s Word is our authority because it was authored by God who is our ultimate authority. The Bible’s authority depends on the power and sovereignty of the Author not whether we believe it or obey it. 

How, then, do we use God’s perfect love and His authority to cast out all fear? Submit ourselves to God (James 4:7-8), forgive others (2 Corinthians 2:10-11), and confront the enemy’s strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). This week may we experience God’s ultimate love and authority as He casts out all fear in our lives!