Hard Things
Based on the date of this post you can probably tell that the topic has been on my mind based on the earthquake in Haiti, but I’m not going to address that specifically, so apply this as you see fit.
1 John 4:18, 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, when read by even the most legalistic believer, would seem to imply that when we understand God’s love for us we no longer fear punishment, and really have no reason to be captive to fear period. It seems to say that the more we are “made perfect in love” which I take to mean the more we understand the depth of God’s love for us and what He’s done on our behalf as a result, the more we are able to let go and trust God because we no longer fear that if we make a mistake He’s going to bring the hammer down. We are able to then relax in His presence, come as we are, be ourselves without pretense, etc. However we read that verse and it sounds very comforting, but if you’re anything like me what immediately springs to mind is, well if this is true why did that thing happen…? And sometimes, even though part of us believes that God does love us and does work everything to good on our behalf, we slip into trying to obey out of legalistic reasons, just in case.