Perfect love drives out fear

Perfect love drives out fear

“No one has ever seen God, but as long as we love one another God remains in us and his love comes to its perfection in us. This is the proof that we remain in him and he in us, that he has given us a share in his Spirit.” (1 John 4: 12 – 13)

What is the proof that I love God and my neighbor? The presence of the Holy Spirit in me is the proof.

“Love comes to perfection in us when we can face the Day of Judgment fearlessly, because even in this world we have become as he is. In love there is no room for fear, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear implies punishment and no one who is afraid has come to perfection in love.” (1 John 4: 17 – 18)

Christ is the fearless One. He was not afraid of the antagonisms of his enemies. He was not afraid in his “Day of Judgment”, that is his passion and death. He was completely fearless because he is the very perfection of love.

Just as faith drives out fear, we learn that perfect love also drives out fear.