"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us" -1 John 4:18-19 ESV
God is the great initiator of love in the life of those that have been redeemed and saved. In the moment of salvation, every true Christian was convicted of their personal sin, and understood clearly that they could not save themselves. As the conviction revealed sin, it also revealed God's great act of love in sending God the Son to die on the cross as a substitute for sinners to receive the forgiveness of sin necessary for salvation. The work of God to redeem through Jesus is God's redemptive love unleashed. The work was in Christ not only in death but resurrection, His ascension, and eventual return to establish God's eternal kingdom. This love that draws the sinner to trust in the one and only way of salvation has a transformative effect that leads to a ministry of love. As Christians, we are held by reverence and awe for the one true God because He loved us first. His work of love and constant presence of love that we find in communion with Him moves us to a deeper and profound understanding of love. Understanding true love is in the revealing of the characteristics of God. What great comfort we have that God's love is able to cast out fear? There are many reasons to have fear in life if we see the world through the eyes of unredeemed perceptions. But in light of God's love for us we know that we are secure in Him, forever.
God's revealing and initiating true love leads to an awakening of love for that carries us with confidence into all of life's circumstances. This confidence is a new outlook on life and relationships. Through this type of love we are compassionate and active in living out love. Grounded by love and growing in the truth of God's word, we are moved into action to stand firm but determined to serve others. Sacrificial love unifies us with the example of Christ in perfect union of His life, death, burial, and resurrection to new life. We sacrifice to love in order to promote the goodness and glory of God. All credit and glory must go to God for our acts of love, because He first loved us. Let's pursue a deeper understanding of God's love through prayer and consuming of God's words that move us to love others with truthful conviction. Loving others is love from God and love for God. Loving God above all else determines the ability of our holy affections to prevail over all distractions and hinderances.
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