The words in the title are covered in the text here in 1st John 4:17-21
Let's take a look at them one by one.
First of all, there is love and judgement. John tells us that Love has been perfected among us in this: Or, love has had it's purpose accomplished in that, we will have boldness, or confidence in the day of judgement. Further, it's told us that as He is, so are we in this world. How is He? He is with the Father, He is of course accepted by the Father, and we are with the Father as has been stated in this chapter, and because we are in Christ, we also are accepted by the Father.
We will have boldness, or freedom, a cheerful confidence, and assurance because we have been saved, and we belong to God, we have been forgiven, we have been made His. We have passed from death to life, from darkness to light, from error to truth, etc. Thus in the day of Judgement, i.e the Great White Throne Judgement, while we will be there, we will not be being judged. We have passed from judgement to life.
Secondly, John tells us that there is no fear in love. That is, because God has loved us, and we have received His love, His salvation, His Savior, His forgiveness, His gift of eternal life, we live our lives without fear ( of the day of judgement ) seems to be the context and meaning. Christians are not living in fear of the future judgment of God. Because, they know they have come to faith, and are forgiven. Saved people are not tormented about the future judgement, but, in all reality, looking forward to being with the Lord when He comes for them, or they go to Him through death. His love is what has cast out that fear.
Thirdly, here's why we love Him. It's because He first loved us. He started it. He gave us Christ, and then drew us to Christ, making us aware of our need for a Savior. Then, He gave us faith and we have received Christ. We know love Him. But, it's because He first loved us. He gets all the credit, because He manifested His love towards us first. Then, or now, we love Him as a result of His grace.
Fourthly, and here John is repeating himself about professions of faith. ....1st John 4:20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?
The person who says one thing, but does another is a liar. They say they love God, but they hate their brother, they are not telling the truth, they are telling a lie. They do not really love God. John says it this way..........( for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? ) it's hard to argue with that simple fact, and logic.
Finally, this section ends with 1st John 4:21, "And this is the commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also"
What a great and powerful God we serve. He commands what He wants in His kingdom. It's love. Lord, thank You.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
