Love vs Fear
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. We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:18-19
There is Good News: Love — genuine love for ourselves, for each other and for God — can overcome all fear.
Can you fear and love someone at the same time? If we fear, can we also be in a place of love? Have you had a time when you had feelings of love and hate at the same time? It’s total emotional confusion! We all have experienced that mixture, and for me, it left me angry, and it certainly was not the love I desired. I then blamed the person for those feelings.
A lot of what we call love is not pure love; it is tainted by fear, therefore it becomes something other than love. My question remains: What is pure love? I searched for an answer because I know my thoughts are not always pure and I allow my emotions to persist.
Pure love costs us nothing to give, yet it seems like loving others, ourselves, and our world is difficult. Especially at this moment! History tells us that we have always had hard times and doing the right goes against the grain of our sin nature. My resources say, "Pure love is unconditional. It's kind, compassionate, generous, and nurturing. It's warm and forgiving. It's given without expectations of reciprocation.”
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)
Fear is the opposite of faith. God wants us to walk by faith whereas Satan wants us to cower in fear. When we learn to live by faith and not let fear rule our life, we can live a fulfilling, satisfying, peaceful, and joyful life in Christ. We must be reminded daily that we belong to Him; He wants us to stay in His Light.
I don’t know about you, but I love the light with which the Father surrounds me. I do fear the darkness that can easily consume us if we are not careful. I chose His light!
Father, Your love and Your light is beautiful, warm and is given to us freely for those who choose to follow You through Your Son. I am grateful for Your PURE LOVE and know that I can come into Your light at any time. AMEN.