ICS Daily Devotions
Perfect Love and Perfect Peace
It sounds unreasonable and harsh to ask someone who is bogged down and burdened by something challenging in life not to worry or be anxious. It is more of a loving reminder than a command. Peace belongs to us although the devil would attempt to steal it from us through the sifting process or sending tribulations our way to steal the Word from our hearts. What is hindering us from experiencing that peace is anxiety. The knowledge of the Word gives us peace especially when we know that as a believer we have Jesus’ kind of peace and His perfect love casts out all fear.
There are a few common questions that will go through our minds when we are facing a very challenging situation in our lives. Most people would ask, “What have I done to bring about this problem in my life?” Sometimes, we are reaping what we have sown in the flesh for making the wrong investment, playing politics, insubordination, etc. We might even need to repent for our actions. Some might ask, “Is God punishing me for something that I have done?” It is basically asking “Is this how God is looking me?” or “Is God angry with me?” It is tormenting when we are unsure of God’s love! Praise the Lord that we can be sure of God’s love and how He actually looks at us.
We need to settle the truth regarding how God looks at us so that we are aware that God is not against us. It is God’s desire for us to experience perfect love and perfect peace.
1 John 4:17-19 (NKJV) Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is NO FEAR in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us. (emphasis added)
The absence of FEAR is PEACE. Isn’t it wonderful to know that there is no fear in love and perfect love casts out all fear? Of course, the fear of death brings about the greatest anxiety in life and it is extremely tormenting when someone doesn’t know how they are to face a holy, righteous and just God. God first loved us and His perfect love is unconditional. God first loved us while we were sinners, imperfect and worthless. He knows our condition.
God’s perfect love towards us gives us perfect peace and absolute security in His love. Therefore, it sets us absolutely free from fear because there is nothing to fear if God is not against us but for us. Our salvation is purely because of God’s abundant grace towards us and it is not by works. We will not be able to add anything to our salvation by our own actions.
Romans 8:33 (NKJV) Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.
Sermon Series: Don’t Panic
