What are We Afraid of anyway?

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)

John is addressing his dear children as he comes to the close of his life as overseer of many churches in Asia Minor.

He is concerned for their hearts . . . their true convictions and their real character.

Many are swaying the hearts of the believers here in the early church. People are teaching that Christ is not the messiah . . . He was not truly God in the flesh . . . the Incarnate One (1 John 4:1-4)

Does this sound familiar today? Churches tickling the ears of the congregations . . . young people swayed by this fad and that fashion . . .compromise after compromise to make things more acceptable.

So how do we know that God is in us . . . that He cares . . . that he is God? Glad you asked . . .

(1 John 4:13-18) We know because He lives within us. We feel His presence. We live like He lived despite those areound us. We do not back down from evil and we never ever compromise His Word and His ways! We never aologize for who we are and WHOSE we are!

Kids today need to see and feel Jesus; Adults do as well. Is he real? Does He care? People see Him in us and they feel Him in our authenticity.

Love is a verb . . . not a religion! he is a person . . . a relationship . . . a way of life! What are we afraid of anyway?