“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18
“No fear in love” … love is the work and will of God and the fruit of faith in God for the salvation of every human. In this, there is no fear.
“Perfect love casts out fear” … Jesus is God’s perfect love that has come to seek and to save, not to condemn. In Christ, God’s love reaches its goal, i.e., love is perfected in us when we believe in Jesus and no longer fear that God might still be angry with us because of our sin.
“Fear has to do with punishment” … one experiences dread with the expectation of real consequences for what one has done wrong. In this life, believers are not free from sensations of guilt. They may hear that their sins are forgiven, yet still have the sensation of guilt, for each believer has a sinner alongside the saint within him.
“One who fears is not made perfect in love” … as long as a person gives himself up to fear of God’s punishment, he is not relying on His Son completely for his salvation.
God’s blessings on your day…