God is love! Those who are living in love are living in God, and God lives through them. By living in God, love has been brought to full expression in us so that we may fearlessly face the day of judgement, because all that Jesus now is, so are we in the world. Love never brings fear, for fear is always related to punishment. But love’s perfection drives out the fear of punishment far from our hearts. 1 Jn 4 16-18 (Passion)
Love casts out fear, so if we fear, we could say that we haven’t fully experienced His love for us in the particular area of fear. If God asks us to give something and we are fearful of lack in our lives, we will experience fear and will argue with ourselves and God about what He has asked of us. Sometimes trembling in fear, we do obey and give, but not without an internal argument and other times, we may find we reason ourselves out of giving, or give less than what God has asked. This clearly shows that we don’t trust in our Father’s love, or nature. Time and time again God has promised to bless those who give. He has also promised that there is no lack for those who belong to the Shepherd. He has proclaimed that He will supply all our needs and everyone of these promises He will deliver on as He cannot lie.
Fear has it’s own torment or punishment such as worry, anxiety, unrest or even sleepless nights. This is why we really need to know and experience God’s love. We need to know, really know in our hearts that God loves us each personally and, as a Father, desires the best for our lives.
When questioned about bad behaviour, children will often lie or blame, for fear of punishment, particularly if they are being questioned by someone they don’t know too well. They may not lie when questioned by their parents because of their relationship and understanding of how much they are loved. We also need to have this deep relationship and understanding of how much our Heavenly Father loves us.
We need never to fear lack. God’s Kingdom is one of increase and His blessings always brings the multiplication.
God bless them and said, “Be fruitful and increase..” Gen 1:28
When we focus on loss, which was exactly what Eve did in the garden, fear can bring an atmosphere that prevents us from seeing clearly and we can be prone to lies. Eve didn’t see all that God gave her but focused on the one tree she couldn’t touch. She was deceived into believing God was withholding from her. She doubted His Love. God had given her good reason not to partake of the tree, for her and Adam’s rebellion would bring death, but she doubted His love, wisdom in His instruction and disobeyed.
We need to believe that our Heavenly Father always know best for us and that He is never into our loss but always into our gain.
For I command you today, love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to Him, and to keep His commands, decrees and law, then you will live and increase.. Deut 30:16
Obedience will always attract the blessings of God.
Of the increase of His Government and peace there will be no end. Is 9:7
The more we submit our fears to the Lord, repent and be healed, the more our hearts will be able to receive the increase of His Kingdom come and its subsequent peace. Our King, Jesus dwells in us, and His reign needs to be more and more evident in our character and walk with Him. His voice needs to speak louder than the fear in our soul.
The highest honour we can give God is our total trust in Him. When we trust in His Love, His nature and goodness, it allows us to be fully obedient, without having to battle fear, which brings its own torment.
When we haven’t experienced the fullness of God’s love, we won’t be able to approach Him freely without the fear of not being accepted into His presence. Or, if we sin, we will hide from Him for fear of punishment instead of running to Him to ask for forgiveness and help.
We need to know, experience and trust in His perfect love for us. Mediate on His love. That the Father of Heaven, would give His one and only precious Son for us is astounding.
So we have His word to rely on as our truth but we really need to have an ongoing, vibrant relationship with the Father, growing in His love and grace. After all, if He has freely given up Jesus for us, how will He not, as He has promised, give us all good things.
