“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.” (NKJV)
I want to stand strong and be bold, not only at that point when I give account for how I have lived my life, but today and every day. I want to be bold in every decision I make, unafraid and unashamed of who I am and whose I am. I want to live bold and strong, unaffected by the daily opinions, judgements, and criticism of people. I want to stand tall and be counted; to be true, faithful and unswerving in my stance for justice and righteousness and the holiness of God and the Word.
Boldness moves to a new level when I begin to know and feel the perfect love of God, and when I experience that love manifesting into me even through the situations and people in my life. It is when I mature in my understanding of who God is and I am secure in His love for me.
Friend, when you get a revelation of this Scripture, it will change your life!
So where do we start? With the love of God. 1 John 4:16 says “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) Knowing/ experiencing the revelation of God’s love, and then 2) Believing He loves us individually, is our starting point. The way this happens is going to be different for each of us, but we have to begin by seeing through the eyes of the heart, to experience that love within the realm of our thoughts and emotions, and to come to that place where we say “Yes, I know God loves me”.
1 John 4:18 says “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.” What does this mean? This is how I see these verses, 16-18: Firstly, fear and insecurity arises in any relationship when we feel we are not loved in return. It happens when we feel our loved one does not love or need us in the same way, or when we believe that they don’t protect us or consider our hearts in decisions they make. There is fear when there is a feeling that this person could walk away at any time. Fear and insecurity arises when we feel we have to cover our own back because the “significant other” is not looking out for us. Fear is also present if (for various reasons) we cannot receive the love that is being poured out upon us and we therefore never experience the sense of safety, security and belonging that comes from knowing we are loved and a part of someone else. On the other hand, fear goes when I become “perfect” or mature in love. Fear goes – and all the uncertainty and torment with it – when I finally fully accept that I am personally and especially chosen and totally and absolutely loved. The same is true in our walk with God.
There is nothing we need to ever do to earn God’s love for us and this is confirmed in verse 19 of 1 John 4: “We love Him because He first loved us”. He loves us totally and fully, and all we have to do is to believe it, and receive it, and allow ourselves to respond.
Boldness comes from knowing I belong. It comes from knowing that I am accepted, fully known and fully loved. Then I can hold my head up high and face my contenders unafraid, knowing that whoever tries to take me on is also taking on the one who loves me, the one I love. How much more powerful this is in my walk with my Lord! Immature love is all about proving myself, doing more to show I am worthy of love and attention; but “perfect” love stands bold; perfect love is unafraid and unashamed. Perfect love is a heart set free, loved for who I am and all that I will be. Strength and power comes from the security and assurance of being loved. It enables me to empathize and understand, to love like I am loved. Now I can hold my head up high and walk with kings and princes completely unafraid – in the spiritual as well as the physical realm. As He (Jesus) is, so I am, exactly like Him, manifesting His strength and grace and power, the Word made flesh in this world.
May you know and grow in the incredibly amazing, supernatural, perfect love of God. May all uncertainty, fear and torment be broken from your life. May you experience, believe and receive your freedom, your healing, your justice, your joy. May this healing love be fully matured, fully perfected within your heart and in your life. May a hurting world see the perfect love of Jesus in you and through you, bringing revelation, healing and restoration to all, in the precious and powerful name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
Minoli Haththotuwa, September 11, 2024
