1 John 4:17-18

1 John 4:17-18

In this love has been made complete with us – in order that we should have confidence in the Day of Judgment because just as that one is so also are we in this world.  Fear is not in love, but rather the completely genuine loves throws fear away because fear has punishment involved.  And the one who fears has not been made complete in love.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

One of the key concepts in this passage is the verb teleio, “τελειόω,” and its adjective cognate teleios, “τέλειος.”  Many Bibles translate this word as “made perfect,” and this is a fine translation.  However, the word really describes something that has been undergone a process to reach a final destination, conclusion, or state of existence.  In that sense, I really like the translation of the word as “made complete.”  An even more simple translation could even be “made whole” or “finished.”  John is telling us that learning to love as God loves is a process that is made complete – or perfected – in us.  Love is not a light switch that can be turned on once and immediately mastered.  Love is a process of growing and stretching and examination and repentance and trying again.  This is also why John uses the verb form in the perfect tense so often.  Love was given to us in the past when Jesus Christ’s death on the cross made union with God possible once more through the atonement of our sins.  But the effects of that act continue to this day.  The effects of us receiving God’s love continue to build and work within us.

Have you had an opportunity to display God’s love completely – or perfectly?  If so, how did that feel?  Have you had an opportunity to display God’s love and you didn’t?  How does understanding the process of love being made complete help you desire to try again?

Second Thought:

It is interesting that John should pair fear against love in this passage.  Many people say that hate is the opposite of love.  And in the right context, it can be.  Other people say that apathy is the opposite of love.  And in the right context it can be as well.  John seems to be making the point here that fear is also the opposite of love.  In the context of our relationship with God, it certainly can be.  How many of us fear the wrath of God on Judgment Day?  In some respects that is a very good and healthy thing.  At some point in our life we should fear God’s ability to judge us for the sins that we have done and for which we truly deserve to be condemned.  However, knowing that God’s love for us is greater than His righteous wrath should also make a difference.  We no longer need to fear God’s wrath because Jesus Christ took His wrath upon Himself.  We can rest in God’s love, knowing that on Judgment Day we will be found guilty but also found redeemed by Christ’s blood.  While we will bear the conviction, our punishment will be commuted into grace.  As John says, genuinely complete love throws out fear.  As we grow to know God’s love, we should also fear God’s wrath less.

At what times in your life do you fear God’s wrath?  Are you able to move yourself past fear of God’s wrath and rest in His love?

Third Thought:

John takes this point and moves it one step further.  The one who fears has not been made complete in love.  Notice that John is not making a statement of salvation here.  John is not saying that fear is a proof of condemnation – or proof of a lack of salvation.  What John is saying is that fear is evidence that love has not yet been made complete – or perfect.  In other words, when you discover a place in your life that is governed by fear, you have discovered a place in your life where you can grow in love!  Uncovering fear in our lives can be a fruitful exercise if it likewise grants us opportunities to grow in love.  We can use the discovery of places of fear in our lives to allow God to draw us closer to Him in love.

Where do you still have fear in your life?  How can you begin to change those places of fear into places of love?

Passage for Tomorrow: 1 John 4:19-21