1John 4:18-21 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar: for he that loves not his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loves God love his brother also.
‘Fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear’ the ingredients of perfect love are given to us in 1Corinthians 13:4-7, they are: Patience – love passive: no hurry; suffers long; bears, believes, hopes, and endures all things; kindness – love in action: never acts rashly or insolently; not inconsistent, puffed up, or proud; generosity – love in competition: not envious or jealous; humility – love in hiding: no parade; no airs; works then retires; courtesy – love in society: does not behave unseemly; always polite; at home with all classes; never rude or discourteous; unselfishness – love in essence: never selfish, sour, or bitter; seek only good of others; does not retaliate or seek revenge; good temper – love in disposition: never irritated; never resentful; righteousness – love in conduct: hates sin; never glad when others go wrong; always gladdened by goodness to others; always slow to expose; always eager to believe the best; always hopeful, always enduring; sincerity – love in profession: never boastful and conceited; not a hypocrite; always honest; leaves no impression but what is strictly true; never self-assertive; does not blaze out in passionate anger, nor brood over wrongs; always just, joyful, and truthful; knows how to be silent; full of trust; always present.
‘He that fears is not made perfect in love’ all forms of fear is sin and deadly to any person (Job 3:25; 2Tim. 1:7, etc.) and the one who dreads judgment has a reason to fear. His love is not perfect. He must purify himself, as in 1John 1:7; 3:1-10; 5:1-18. One should have Godly fear (Ps. 2:11; 15:4; 19:9; 34:7-11; 85:9; 103:11; Pro. 1:7; 3:7; 8:13; 14:27; 2Cor. 7:1). The ungodly do not have this kind of fear (Ps. 36:1; 55:19; Rom. 3:18).
‘He is a liar’ six liars are mentioned in 1John: Those who say… they have fellowship with God and still walk in darkness (1:6); they have no sin (1:8); they have not sinned (1:10); they are Christians and do not keep the New Testament commandments (2:4); there is no God or Jesus Christ or denies what Christ did through His first coming (2:22); they are Christians and still hate men (4:20).
Living the Word 