Perfect Love Casts Out Fear

“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” (1 John 4:18)

The in his first general epistle, the apostle John (by inspiration of the Holy Spirit) writes to those he refers to as “my little children.” (1 John 2:1). The recipients of the letter are also referred to as “children of God” (1 John 3:1) and as “beloved” (1 John 4:1, 7). The letter then was written to those who are “beloved little children of God.” Brethren, that is us! What a picture of the faithful Christian – a beloved little child of the Father! God loves each of us as a father loves his child – yea even more! God’s motive for loving us and sacrificing Himself for us is born of the fact that He is our Father and we are His children. This is the central message of 1 John 4:7-21. God loves His children and His children are to love and obey Him. Because God loves us so, we as His beloved little children must love one another. Love, agape, is the highest motive. It is what motivated God to act on our behalf. Love should be what motivates us to act on His behalf.

There is another motivation to serve God beside the motive of agape and that is the motive of fear. Many are the souls that have been brought to repentance by a healthy fear of damnation in hell-fire. Hell, fire and brimstone sermons have their place – each of us needs a healthy amount of fear of such things, often we need to be reminded of that fear. While godly fear can be a healthy motive for obedience, irrational and ungodly fear is a decidedly unhealthy one.

In his dissertation on love in 1 John chapter 4, the apostle John said, “There is no fear in love…” (v.18a). John is not referring to “godly” fear or the overwhelming sense of awe of God. Here he is speaking of that irrational fear where one has an overwhelming sense of doom; the sense that they can never be “good” enough to get to Heaven. This kind of fear has no part in the love of God.

He goes on to say, “…but perfect love casts out fear…” (v.18b) Perfect refers to that which is completed; that which has matured. Love perfected and fully matured casts out fear. “Casts out” literally means “to turn out of doors” such as when the dog is “shoo-ed” out the door of our house. Perfect love casts our fear because there is no room left for it when it has been replaced by agape.

Why must perfect love cast out fear? “Because fear involves torment…” John says in v.18c. When we are motivated strictly by a sense of fear and terror, we “torture” ourselves. If all we ever do, is focus on the “terror of the Lord…” (2 Corinthians 5:11), we will be unable to grow as Christians. If we irrationally allow fear to cause us to regress to the “fetal position” every time we make a misstep or every time we fail – we can never grow as Christians. Love, faith and patience are perfected as we are tried and as we learn from and overcome our shortcomings (James 1:1-4).

John concludes the thought, “But he who fears has not been made perfect in love…” (v.18d) The Christian who has allowed irrational fear to take over is not mature and cannot become mature as long as he holds that fear. How can one come to be made mature in love? Notice the first phrase of verse 17 from the King James Version, “…Herein is our love made perfect…” What is referenced by the word “herein”? We must go back yet another verse to find out. “And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him…” (1 John 4:16) John says that our love can be perfected when we recognize God’s unwavering love for us. When we come to realize the depth of God’s love. Remember the words of Paul, “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)

When we realize how much God has done for us (1 John 4:9-10) we come to understand truly how much He loves us. When we realize we are loved so much by God “that He gave His only begotten Son” we grow in our love for Him. As our love for God grows, there is less and less room for irrational fears. Love so perfected then casts out that fear.

When we were new in the faith, perhaps the fear of hell motivated us to stay on the right track. That is normal and healthy for those who are still babes in Christ. However, if one is to mature, they need to go beyond that fear-based motivation to serve God and progress toward the higher motivation for serving God – reciprocated love! “We love Him because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)

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The Man Makes the Uniform

In the third episode of the fourth season (1963) of the Andy Griffith Show, Ernest T. Bass wants to join the Army. After some trouble at the recruitment center Ernest T. is turned away and he vows to get even with everyone. Once finally apprehended by Sheriff Taylor for doing what Ernest T. does best (breaking windows) the truth behind his desire to enlist comes to light. He wants a uniform. That will make him a man in the eyes of the girls and allow him to find a bride. He says, “I could have been hitched by now if I’d only had one. I got everything else but. I got looks, brains, personality, I kiss good. The only thing standing twixt me and sweet romance is uniform.”

Andy gives Ernest T. one of Barney’s deputy uniforms to appease him. But the fact is known; the uniform didn’t change the man. Just because you put on a police uniform does not make you lawman. Just because you put on a pair of “Dress Blues” does not make you a Marine. Likewise, just because you put on the name of Christian doesn’t make you a child of God.

The uniform doesn’t make the man!

Many come to the cross and desire to be saved, they confess that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God, and are baptized. But Paul says by inspiration that we are to arise to “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). In Colossians 3:1 we read, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.” And in Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

The uniform doesn’t make the man!

This is the difference between being baptized and being converted! For so many who call themselves Christians this idea is far too radical. They do not really want to be freed from their sins, just from the penalty of their sin. They don’t want this “new life” to encroach too much on the old one. The sad truth is that their lives really aren’t all that much different.

The uniform doesn’t make the man!

Jesus asked, “[W]hy do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say” (Luke 6:46)? More than a few of us need to read this passage and then take a hard look at our lives! When we stand before Him in Judgment he said we would say, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?” To which He will respond, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness” (Matthew 7:22-23)! Unless we are “converted…ye will not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3).

The uniform doesn’t make the man!

When Ernest T. left the courthouse Andy says, “There goes a happy man.” And indeed Ernest T. left feeling good about himself. Many people are left to go their way feeling good about themselves by preachers and elders who care more about pleasing people than pleasing God. Jesus said true happiness comes to those who follow His example and keep His commands (John 13:17).

The uniform doesn’t make the man; the man makes the uniform!

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Divorce

What are the ways one can be divorced?

When looking at divorce, I had not realized it before, but every state in America has their own reasons for divorce; and they are not always the same.  For example: In Alaska one can get divorced for: Adultery, mental illness that proceeds 18 months, drug abuse, failure to consummate (sexually fulfill) the marriage, conviction of a felony, willful desertion of at least 1 year, cruel and/or inhuman treatments, if one in the marriage is personally insulted by the other, and drunkenness. Now, in New York it is different. The only reasons are: If both parties are legally separated for more than 1 year. Adultery. Willful desertion of at least 1 year. Imprisonment for 3 or more consecutive years. Cruel and inhuman treatment. Now, that is just 2 states in America.

But, let’s notice other areas of the world: In China First of all, in order to get a divorce, they must first liquidate all properties into cash. All except their clothes. If one is a bigamists (marries another while still married). Family violence by any family member. Anyone caught in gambling or drug-abuse. Both parties have lived separate lives for at least 2 years. In Africa The man is required at the time of divorce to give the woman the funding to maintain her current lifestyle by his salary and anything of the property she deems hers: no exceptions. Then, all of the remaining man’s possessions are confiscated by the government and sold leaving him with nothing. In Germany divorce is granted only by: Irresponsible attitudes Incompatibility. In Pakistan Islam does not believe in unlimited opportunities for divorce on trivial reasons. They believe that God has condemned the Muslims who use their legal rights of divorce except on legitimate grounds and in unbearable condition only. All of these from America to China, Africa, Germany and Pakistan shows that there are many variations to how one can be divorced.

So out of all of this confusion, rules and regulations, which ones are we able to pick? Well, what does God say? Jesus said, “Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.” (Matt. 19:9) Now, this is not sexual immorality as used in some translations. Fornication is the Greek word “porneia” which means sexual intercourse. This is the only meaning for fornication. That is it. This means that there is no other way that one can be divorced. Now some may say, “Well, my husband is abusive and has threatened me . . . Can I get a divorce? The Bible ask you, “Is this fornication?” If not, then no you cannot. Some may ask, “Well, what about annulments?” An annulment is a termination of an official and legal proceeding and if it is not for fornication, it is still a divorce. Fornication is just that, fornication. Well, some may say, “You know, my wife is just not as sexy as she use to be” or “We are not compatible anymore,” now can I get a divorce? The Bible still have the same answer for everyone: “except it be for fornication.” There are no exceptions to this rule! What part of “Except it be for fornication is unclear to the lawmakers and the people of the land?

You know Jesus reminds us, “Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” (Matt. 19:6) Peter also reminds us, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29) Now, some may claim that this is not fair, but the simple truth is that God intended marriage to be between 1 man and 1 woman for life. It is not something that is to be dealt with lightly. Marriage is a union that God takes very seriously. Now, along these same lines, there is only one other reason for someone to remarry. The apostle Paul speaking with all authority said, “The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.” (1 Cor. 7:39) Death of a spouse is the only reason other than one committing fornication in marriage that one may become remarried. But, when the Christian remarries it is only to be in the Lord meaning that they are to be Christians less the worldly spouse tempt the Christian to live worldly again and pull him away from his first love, which is Christ.

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Gospel Meetings and Lectureships

When we think about the role that gospel meetings has played throughout history, our minds may go back to the days of revivals. In all actuality, revivals, by their purpose, were simply a mixture of preaching for the purpose of creating restoration or change in the lives of people. As such, the revival may be seen in the days of Hezekiah or Josiah, and the preacher may be seen in the prophets of old, the apostles of Jesus, or the first century Christians who heralded the saving message of Jesus Christ (i.e., Philip preaching in Samaria in Acts 8). More modern records of the influence that gospel meetings or revivals had will take our minds back to the eighteenth century when Jonathan Edwards preached his infamous sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” or many of the other instances of revival preaching both here and abroad. Over the years, it has taken a number of different names, including protracted meetings, evangelistic meetings, or even tent meetings (many times held outside under a tent). While the practice of such decades ago would often span many weeks, such meetings have diminished over the years to the point of lasting just a few days, with many congregations of our Lord now choosing no longer to conduct them at all. We can also see changes to such by noting that day services (in addition to those held at night) used to be normal years ago—such is quite the rarity today. Our rich legacy consists of great preachers of our past who were quite successful in these gospel meetings (J. D. Tant, Marshall Keeble, Foy E. Wallace, Jr., G. C. Brewer, T. B. Larimore, N. B. Hardeman).

Nevertheless, times have indeed changed. Such preaching thrived in a time when preachers would boldly speak out against sin, Christians were much more aggressive with their evangelism, preaching was distinctive and forceful, exposing sin and condemning immorality without apology, and preachers would exhort those who longed to hear the spoken word of God toward obedience in clear language that included Bible examples.

We add to this the role that lectureships have placed throughout the years. Of course, the term “lecture” simply refers to a style of teaching—a teacher publicly speaks to a group of students, of which the practice goes back hundreds of years, and is a common form of education in higher institutions of learning. In the nineteenth century, “parlor lectures” began to become popular—the act of inviting guest speakers for private lectures. As far as our concern for religiously educational purposes, in the summer of 1936, N. B. Hardeman wrote H. Leo Boles a letter to say that he was thinking about a lectureship program for preachers to run for four weeks to suit the needs of preachers whose opportunity to receive the rich benefits of a college education were denied. In the letter, he pointed out that tuition to such would be free, and they would discuss such practical topics as church history, spoken English, vocal music, Bible geography and the preparation and delivery of sermons. Brother Hardeman then invited brother Boles to serve as a guest “teacher” for this lectureship, which began in January 1937. Sixty-five preachers from seventeen states attended this lecture program, with Foy E. Wallace, Jr., B. C. Goodpasture, Batsell Baxter, C. R. Nichols and others among the well-known speakers invited for this event. The lectureship was a great success, and Freed-Hardeman University has conducted such a lectureship ever since (they just held their 76th Annual Lectureship earlier this year).

What benefit and influence do gospel meetings and lectureships offer? Certainly, it underscores the public pronouncement of heralding the good news of the gospel. Lest we need reminding, Paul pronounced, “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (1 Cor. 1:21). Gospel meetings and lectureships often bring out the passion and zeal in preaching. As one song leader humorously said to the preacher, “I like to follow your sermons with a rousing hymn—something that really gets the blood flowing again!” Jesting aside, the combination of uplifting singing and powerful preaching has provided quite the platform for the word of God to reach the masses effectively. Gospel meetings and lectureships provide an opportunity to underscore the power of preaching—overcoming ignorance, false doctrine and worldliness—just as Paul and his companions did time and again in synagogues, on Mars’ Hill and even by a riverside—anywhere people were willing to listen to the spoken word of God!

How sad that gospel meetings and lectureships are declining! May we resolve to restore the power behind the gospel of Jesus Christ (Rom. 1:16)!

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Souls Needing Teaching

“I Cannot Find Anyone to Teach About Jesus”

We think so often about the great commission which Jesus gave to the twelve to preach the gospel to every creature. Those taught were to do what Jesus had told the apostles to do—to go and make disciples of all nations and to teach those disciples to do the same. This is the nature of the gospel. We who have been taught must teach others about the Lord. That great commission has been passed down to us.

Our problem is that we tend to think that, while we want to teach others, we just cannot find anyone to teach. We are wrong! Think about the fact that the city, which more than any other city became followers of Jesus, was not found in Judea or Galilee. Though the disciples were with Jesus, they could not see anyone they could possibly teach in that city.

In John 4, we read of Jesus and His disciples in Samaria with His disciples. They left Jesus to go into the city to get food. Souls were all around them, but all they could see were food merchants. They viewed every Samaritan as spiritually unclean and not worthy of God’s favor. Outside the city, at Jacob’s well, Jesus was teaching an immoral Samaritan woman. If those in that city were seen as morally corrupt by the apostles, how much harsher was their judgment of this woman?

The Lord taught her. Look at what then happened. The woman left her water jar, went into the city and suggested to them she had found the Messiah (4:28-29). Many from that town believed in Him because of her (4:39). They came to Jesus and talked to Him. He entered this “unclean” city and taught for the next two days. “Many more believed because of His word” (4:41). They said, “We have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world” (4:42).

The disciples, like us, could not see the souls of those around them. They saw them simply as food merchants. Hear Jesus rebuke His disciples for thinking that sometime somewhere in the future they might find fertile fields. He said, “The fields are already white for harvest” (4:35).

You cannot find souls? Our problem is that we see merchants, not souls! Let me illustrate from what happened recently. A member of this congregation (Pearl) phoned to correct the name on her bill from Comcast. She talked to Carla and in the conversation brought up spiritual matters. She invited Carla to visit our services and Bible classes and continued teaching her. This past Sunday Carla was baptized into Christ. Why? Because a Christian did not see her as a merchant, but as a soul.

What about you? Are you seeing souls or merchants?

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