And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.
In this, love is made complete with us so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment, because as he is, so also are we in this world.
There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears is not complete in love. We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:16-19)
Last Sunday, I gave a message on Revelation 4, and as I read John’s words, I was reminded of that passage.
When the Israelites and later Isaiah entered God’s presence, they were terrified. They thought they were going to die. (Exodus 19:16; 20:18-21; Isaiah 6:5).
But when John entered God’s throne room, though I’m sure he was trembling greatly, he was not crying out “I’m doomed!”
John was as sinful and imperfect as the Israelites and Isaiah were. Why didn’t he fear God’s punishment?
Because John had come to know and believe the love God had for him. God’s love had been made complete in him.
How about you? Can you say with John, “I have come to know and believe the love God has for me?”
Moment to Moment (Bible blog) 