Love Cast Out Fear
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, many people are living in fear because they are uncertain what tomorrow may bring. This is exactly what Satan desires that we live in fear because fear can weaken both our faith and our walk with the Lord. As Christians, we know God is in total control and Christ is the answer to our fear and worry.
But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance. (2 Thessalonians 3:3-5) The Lord will protect our souls from the evil one and we are confident in our eternal life because we are living for Christ as his servants and he directs our hearts with his divine love. The more we serve the Lord, the more our hearts are filled with love which draws us closer to the Christ. The result is we have less fear. God’s love and Satan’s fear cannot coexist in our hearts.
Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me. (Psalm 54:4) Christ lives in us through the Spirit, and Christ is love. The more we die to self, the more Christ lives in us and the less fear we have. Christ is the answer to everything; he takes away our fear and guides us through life being a Light in this world. Our life has divine meaning and we live as the Lord’s servant. This is the most fulfilling and the most important life we will ever experience.
We focus on pleasing the Lord by pointing people to Christ through prayer and bringing the good news of Christ to the world. This fills our hearts with more love and love takes the focus of self. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33) We have the faith to live for Christ and he will make it possible to provide for our worldly needs. This is the faith that pleases God — trusting him with our life.
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28) After our last breath, our soul will separate from our flesh and we will be alive. When Christ returns, we will get a new body that last forever with no pain or sadness. Physical death is the door to Christ but while on this earth our body is a temple and is needed to minister to the World.
Today, ask the Lord to fill your heart with his love as you live today serving him. Bring the good news of Christ to lost souls whenever the opportunity exists and pray for those opportunities.
Prayer: Lord, take away any fear from Satan and guide me in the Spirit to comfort others. Lord, I pray that my faith will always increase as the love in my heart increases. In Jesus’ name, Amen