Text: 1 John 4:17-21
Memory text:
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” ‭‭
I John‬ ‭4‬:‭18‬ NKJV

Faithfulness is a rare attribute in our modern world. Some people relate with God with this mindset. They fear, thinking God is like a man. Far be it! Without faithfulness, God ceases to be God. “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” ‭‭(Num‬ ‭23‬:‭19).
God won’t leave you nor forsake you. At old age, He will still be there for you. “Even to your old age, I am He, And even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; Even I will carry, and will deliver you.” (‭‭Isa‬ ‭46‬:‭4‬). In the good times and in the bad times, He will be true to you (Isa 43:2). You are His project, and He is not through with you yet. He won’t abandon His project, leaving as incomplete. He started it, and He will complete it and properly hand over (Gen 28:15; Phil 1:6). Don’t judge God like man. Choose to think of His faithfulness instead of being afraid.
Fear is also caused by an imperfect love for God, according to our memory text. We are called to fear God, that is, a holy fear of displeasing our Father. It is not a slavery type of fear, like a slave fears his master or a criminal fears the bar of justice! (Psa 34:9; Rom 8:15). It’s not a fear of punishment, judgment, penalty, or retribution.
Just like a child steps into danger out of ignorance, sinners out of their ignorance of God’s judgment have no fear of God in their hearts (Psa 36:1; Rom 3:18). However, as the Holy Spirit brings conviction of sin and judgment, they become terrified of God’s wrath and their guilt before Him. Thus, they now fear God but without love. God then uses this to drive them to the Cross, where, still trembling, they experience both fear and love. But as they grow assured of His grace and see His love working itself out in their lives, they cast out the fear of punishment and grow to love God without fear. In his hymn, “Amazing Grace,” John Newton captures it beautifully: “’Twas grace that caused my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved”. As God’s love grows in your life, it casts out the fear of judgment that existed before.
Friends, always remember that God is too faithful to abandon His project. And as you grow mature in your love for God and for others, you will have nothing to fear, because your Father has everything under control, and you are precious in His sight.

Prayer points
1. Father, draw me closer to You and cause me to grow more and more in my love for You and for the brethren, in Jesus’ name.
2. Father, as I grow in love, let the fear of judgment be swallowed up by the fear of displeasing You, in Jesus’ name.

Today’s declarations
1. I won’t run to God in love and still run away from Him out of the fear of judgment.
2. I grow perfect in love when the love of God in me drives away all forms of fear.

Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng