Have you ever had to repeat yourself? Let me ask again [wink], have you ever had to say something again – maybe in a different way – so that the recipient understood what you meant? While I’d like to think that I’m a quick learner, I have definitely had to ask for clarification or a reminder more times than I care to count!
Even in the relatively short letter of 1 John, it feels like the author (likely the apostle John) emphasizes and reiterates certain points in various forms. I don’t want to belabor past comments on topics that it feels like John is emphasizing further here, but perhaps by saying this in different ways, he was hoping to help everyone understand these important points. And, if it was important enough for the Holy Spirit to inspire these things to be written multiple times, I think that it’s important for us to read them in all of their forms, too.
Let’s take a look.
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 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.
1 John 4:16-18 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/1jn.4.16-18.NIV
You may have heard verse 18 out of context before, but let’s look at it as part of this letter (and not just a standalone saying). First off, let’s consider the term, “fear”. “Fear” is used in at least a couple of ways, especially in Christian circles.
- Sometimes, it refers to being scared, like when you open your phone bill to see how much your rate has increased since the previous month.
- Other times, it refers to a healthy respect for a powerful and sovereign God.
- (And, in both Christian and secular circles, it can also refer to a valid apprehension towards something which could legitimately harm us.)
Here, in light of the larger passage, this verse seems to be referring to being afraid of “judgment day”. Once we become aware of our sins, some people – even Christians – are concerned that they won’t be “good enough” when it comes time to settle up for our sins.
When we are in such a close relationship with God that we live in Him and He lives in us, though, we have no reason to fear judgment. I like that John here illustrates this with the perfect example: being like Jesus Christ, Himself. I believe that includes having a close relationship with God the Father, and looking to Him for the best answers in life.
In God, we get to know more and more about His love (especially His act of love that resulted in Jesus dying for all of our sins), and we get to practice living out similar love for others. This provides evidence of our relationship with God, with love for others being lived out as a result of our love for God. Again, this behavior mirrors the same love that Jesus showed for God the Father and for others, including us!
And, as we appreciate God’s love and the truth of our salvation, we learn that there is zero need for concern about judgment, because all of our sins have been paid for, and – in the heavenly court – there is no more judgment for those sins that we need to be afraid of. Judgment was necessary for those sins, but the required punishment was all taken by Jesus on the cross.
Conversely, if anyone is still trying to earn their way to heaven, concerned that they have to somehow do enough good things to get right with God, then they haven’t yet appreciated the depths of God’s love.
God did not come to earth to let us know that we could try to make up for bad things we’ve done, or even to suggest that – after we sinned – we can somehow still be good enough to get into Heaven. No, God loved us a lot more than that! He also knew that none of our own efforts would work: not only wouldn’t they be good enough to pay for our sins, but we don’t even have the willpower to succeed on our own if good deeds were somehow enough (which they still aren’t).
Instead, God came to earth to wipe out our entire sin-debt, including any additional sins that we might commit in the future (even if we try to avoid them). Then – and this is still pretty amazing – God offered to dwell in us personally, to help us live out a righteous life and love others.
Do you remember the brand of clothing a while back that said, “No Fear”. I agree that living without fear is the best way to live. In a perfect world, everyone who wore that brand actually knew God’s perfect love, since that’s the only way to legitimately live without fear. May you and I truly live without fear of judgment, not because we’re full of bravado or false confidence, but because we know the truth about God’s love for us, because we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and because we trust the completeness of His sacrifice on our behalf.
From Sunday School lesson prepared for March 9, 2025
References:
- 1717 Bible Studies, 1, 2, and 3 John, © 2025 Christian Standard Media.
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – 1, 2 & 3 John, by Morris M. Womack. © 1998 College Press Publishing Co.
Those Who Sin Differently 