A Daily Walk

John Randall: If fear or anxiety has a grip on your life, listen to this. If you struggle with anxiety, and many people do, anxiety over God's acceptance or fear of your future, would you return to this truth this morning? God's perfect love does not merely soothe your fears; it actually casts them out, dispels them, removes them.

Guest (Male): Hey, welcome to another Daily Walk with our pastor and teacher John Randall. We're at the tail end of First John chapter four today. Last time we learned that the invisible God reveals himself through the visible love of believers. We talked about the presence of God's love, the proclamation of this love, and then the proof of God's love.

Well, now today, Pastor John will go on to discuss the power of love over fear and then the practical application of God's love. Get ready for an encouraging time in the word.

John Randall: When Jesus asked his disciples the most critical question and a crucial question that can be asked of us today, and that was this: Who do men say that I am? And the disciples respond and said, "Well, some say you're John the Baptist, some say you're one of the prophets." But Jesus made it more specific and he said, "But who do you say that I am? Who am I to you?" And you remember that Peter responded and he said, "You are the Christ, the son of the living God." He confessed it.

And Jesus's reply to Peter's confession was, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, because flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven." John emphasizes that if we truly believe in our heart that Jesus has been sent by the Father, we will confess that. Your confession demonstrates that God resides in you and you dwell in God.

If anyone admits this, it provides evidence God is alive and at work in them. I confess Jesus; I'm not ashamed of the gospel. It's the power of God unto salvation. The spirit of God is working in me, pleading through us, the Bible says, for men to be reconciled to God.

As I mentioned earlier, when I was in Georgia this week, we had a time where the kids were waiting on the Lord, afterglow if you will, as they like to call it. Where we're just worshipping, we're waiting on the spirit, seeing what the Lord might say. And there were some wonderful things that took place that evening.

But during that evening, there came a point when I thought, okay, it's a Christian conference with Christian kids, but maybe there's some kids there that are not Christians. Maybe they got invited. And so I just in the midst of it, I said, "Listen, if there's anybody here who's not a Christian, just raise your hand."

In this packed room, I'm thinking, and it's kind of dark and, anybody at all, just right now, if you're unsaved, you don't know you're going to heaven, you don't know your sins are forgiven, just raise your hand up. And right over here on the right side, this young man raises his hand up. And I said, "All right, I see you."

And then way back in the top in the corner, this young girl raised her hand. And I said, "All right, both of you guys, I need you to come down here." In the midst of all these kids. And there was all these kids crowded in the aisles and they just parted like the Red Sea and these kids made their way down and they came right down to the front. And I had them pray and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and they receive Christ, the two of them in the midst of that group of their peers. Praise God for that salvation.

But the fact that they were able to confess it, to declare it, the spirit of God was working in their life. Their spirit now bears witness with his spirit, they're children of God. They've been born again, they belong to the Lord. You remember in the book of Acts in chapter seven that one of the first deacons in the early church, a man full of faith, full of the Holy Spirit, and full of the word of God. It was after his bold confession to the religious leaders that they were cut to the heart, they were angry, they gnashed at their teeth and they picked up rocks and began to stone him to death.

And while Stephen, the first martyr of the church, was being pelted with rocks, it says that he looked up and he said, "I see heaven opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." Did you know that's the only time in scripture when Jesus is described as standing at the right hand of God? Normally it says he's seated at the right hand of God. But Stephen said, "I see him standing," symbolizing the honor, the advocacy perhaps, and the welcome of Stephen's bold confession, even in the midst of impending death.

And he said, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." And he said, "Don't charge them with this sin." Acts chapter seven. Stephen reminds us that while confessing Christ comes at a high price, the presence of Christ is even greater. It only bears witness to the fact Jesus was there, he was confessing, and Jesus was right there. And the same is with us when we are boldly proclaiming God's love, declaring the message of the gospel, even in the face of hostility, the Lord is there.

We have the presence of God's love abiding in us, the proclamation, the opportunity to proclaim his love. But third, we have the proof once again of God's love. If you look at verse 16: "And we have known and believed that the love that God has for us, God is love. He who abides in love abides in God, and God in him." 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.

This is a powerful verse. Pay close attention here. God's love is being perfected in us. We are growing, we are maturing, and it is becoming more visible as we grow in our relationship with him. We understand his love, his love abides in us, he abides in us, and this brings us to a confidence. A confidence, especially in the day John mentions it, of judgment. The day of judgment.

The Bible describes for us two separate judgments. There is one judgment for the believer. It is called the Bema seat judgment or the judgment seat of Christ. And the purpose of this judgment is not to determine salvation but to evaluate faithfulness, to give rewards for the life that we've lived for Christ.

The Bible tells us this in Second Corinthians chapter five and verse 10. It says, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due whether good or bad." You're going to have your day, so will I, when we stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

Romans chapter 14 says, "For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. Each one of us will give an account of himself to God." First Corinthians chapter three tells us that the believer's works will be tested by fire. And if anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved.

And so this judgment before the judgment seat of Christ, the Bema seat, is for believers only. It focuses on rewards, not punishment. Salvation is secure according to Romans chapter eight, verse one. And this motivates holy living and faithful service while we're here on the earth because we know we're going to stand before God. But there's another judgment. And this judgment is called the Great White Throne Judgment. And this is the judgment for the non-believer.

And the purpose of this judgment is to judge all who have rejected Christ based on their works and sin. And it leads to eternal separation from God in a real place called Hell, the Bible tells us. Where the fire is never quenched, where the worm does not die, where there is eternal darkness and separation from God.

Revelation chapter 20 says this: "Then I saw a great white throne and the dead were judged by what was written in the books, and anyone's name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire." John chapter three, verse 18, Jesus said, "Whoever does not believe is condemned already." Hebrews 9:27: "It is appointed unto man once to die and then comes the judgment."

This judgment, this great white throne judgment for unbelievers, based on rejection of Christ, ends in eternal punishment, and there's no second chance after death. See, that's frightening and it should be, if you don't know Jesus. But as a child of God walking with the Lord, abiding in his word with his spirit dwelling in you, you've confessed him as savior and Lord. Your life is a walking testimony, and although we're not perfect, we continue to grow. You don't have to fear the day of judgment.

You don't have to be afraid of it. This is the proof of God's love: you don't have to fear it because you're not going to be judged for your sins. Your sins were judged at Calvary, but you will be rewarded for your life. We don't have to fear when we stand before the Lord. And in verse 17, he says, "Because, as he is, so are we in this world." Let me just read that one more time: "Because as he is, so are we in this world."

This means that the Father, listen carefully, this is the proof of God's love: that the Father treats believers in Christ the same way that he treats his son in that day. He clothes us with the righteousness of Christ, grants us his son's perfect love. Therefore, on the day when we stand before the throne, we are clothed in the righteousness of Christ and we can stand confidently as our Lord and Savior does because we are in him and he is in us.

If you didn't get that, let me just say it one more time. We are clothed in the righteousness of Christ. So this is proof of God's love: I don't have to fear the day of judgment. Why? Because as he is, so are we in this world. When the Father sees you, he sees you clothed in the righteousness of his son and therefore you are received and you are accepted and you are welcomed in. Do you understand that? That is the proof of God's love this morning for you. You do not need to fear if you're clothed in the righteousness of Christ.

First John 3:2, John said it: "Beloved, now we are children of God and it is not yet been revealed what we shall be but we know that when he is revealed we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is." Oh, what confidence, the proof of God's love. Jude says it in Jude verse 24: "Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy." What is there to fear? If he's going to present me faultless, there's only exceeding joy and gratitude because I know the proof of his love.

Friend, do you have that confidence today? Have you looked at the proof? Have you examined it? If you're like, where do I find it? It's right here. It's all right here. The proof of it. Is anybody excited about the fact that you're going to stand before Christ and you're clothed in the righteousness of Jesus? I'm glad. Me too.

But this leads us to the fourth principle and that is this: the power of love over fear. In verse 18: "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." John contrasts fear with God's perfect love.

Now there is a difference between a healthy reverence for God and a tormenting fear. The Bible does say that it's the fear of the Lord that's the beginning of wisdom. It means there is a reverential awe for the majestic power and glory of God. There should be a reverence, and that's the beginning of wisdom. But what we ought not to have is a tormenting fear of punishment and rejection if you're a child of God.

God's love, when it is fully known and received, drives out that kind of fear. In fact, the word for "cast out" is a strong word. It means to throw out or to expel completely. As God's love is perfected in us, maturing, coming to completion, fear no longer dominates my thinking. I am accepted in the beloved, I am his, I am my beloved's and he is mine. His banner over me is love, the Bible says.

Fear involves torment: the fear of judgment, of rejection, of uncertainty. It torments the soul and robs a person of peace that is found in Christ. That kind of fear is a sign that we are not fully resting in God's love. He who fears, John said, has not been made perfect in love. It doesn't mean that the person is unsaved, but that love has not matured in their life. Growing in love leads to confidence, it leads to peace, it leads to relational security with God.

The more you grow in God's love, the less fear controls your thoughts and your emotions and your future outlook. Paul said it this way to Timothy, Second Timothy chapter one, verse seven: "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and of a sound mind." Friend, does that describe you this morning? Are you resting in God's love? Have you allowed him to drive out fear?

If you struggle with anxiety, and many people do, anxiety over God's acceptance or fear of your future, would you return to this truth this morning? God's perfect love does not merely soothe your fears; it actually casts them out, dispels them, removes them.

Paul said it this way in Romans chapter eight: "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." I mean, he basically covers it all.

There's nothing that can separate me from his love. And that should cast out fear and bring me to this place where I am secure and resting in the love of God today. The devil will lie to you. He'll twist up the scriptures, make you think that God doesn't love you. It's just not true. Here we find the power of love that overcomes fear.

How many times we see there were moments in the ministry of Jesus when the disciples were afraid? They were fearful and Jesus said, "Oh you of little faith, why did you doubt? Did you really think I was going to let you drown in the middle of the Sea of Galilee? Come on now. I said we're going to the other side." I didn't say let's go out to the middle and capsize and never recover.

But sometimes we doubt. And so when we are prone to doubt the love of God, we have to go back to the word of God and be reminded of what he said. This is what he said, and I base it on truth, not how I feel but what he said. And when I rest in this, this is what dispels every fiery dart. I hold up the shield of faith, I believe what you said and I receive it and I live in it. And fear has to leave, it has to leave. Take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, the Bible says. Put on the helmet of salvation, guard your mind and your thoughts, and you will have peace.

Finally, John concludes by giving us the practical application of God's love. Now that you know this, now that you're aware of the presence of God's love and you have proclaimed God's love and you have this power of God's love to overcome fear, he says I want to share with you the practical application. Look at verse 20 and notice what John says: "If someone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he's a liar." I mean, John's just so straight. He doesn't hold anything back. You say this but you do that? Well, just so you know, you're a liar. That stings.

For he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from him: that he who loves God must love his brother also. John confronts here the disconnect between words and actions.

A profession of love for God is invalid if it's not accompanied by love for others. The word hate, it can mean hostility, bitterness, even unforgiveness, willful neglect. John uses strong language here: love for God that does not show up in relationships, he said it's not real. If we can't show love to people who are right in front of us, how are we going to love an invisible God that we can't see if there are visible people all around us? It makes no sense. It's inconsistent.

The logic is straightforward: love for the invisible God is proven or disproven by love for visible people. Jesus said they will know you're my disciples by the love you have for one another. You know what? This verse, it challenges religious hypocrisy, reminding us that relationships matter deeply to God. Genuine love for God overflows into a love for others, even difficult ones.

As we come to the end of this passage, the message is clear: God is invisible, but his love is not. He has chosen to make his love visible, not through signs in the sky, thunder from the heavens, but through you and me. And when we love one another, we preach a sermon that's louder than words. We show the world what God is like.

God's perfect love is not only something we receive, but it's also something that we reflect, like the moon with the sun. One reflects the light of the other. And this provides us with confidence, not fear. It drives us to embrace instead of isolate. It reminds us that our love for God is most clearly seen in how we love one another.

So let's ask ourselves today: Who in your life needs to see the invisible God through your visible love? Who just came into your mind? Do you know how that works, right? When the question is asked and it comes into your mind, you know what that is, right? It's not a Jedi mind trick. It's actually the Holy Spirit.

When the Holy Spirit brings that right to you, and you want someone else, no, come on Lord. May God help us to be the hands, the feet, the eyes, the voice, the heart of Christ. Because as he is, so are we in this world, he said. Maybe today you realize that God's love has grown distant or cold in your heart. Bible says in the last days the love of many will grow cold.

Jesus wrote to the church in Ephesus there in Revelation and he said, "You know, you've got a lot of great things going for you. You fight against false teachers, you do a lot of great works, it's exciting to see." But he said, "I have one thing against you and that is this: you have left your first love."

And so he exhorted them to remember from where they had fallen, to repent, and then to repeat or go back and do the first works again. To stir up the first love relationship. Has your love for Jesus grown cold? Have you grown distant? Has it kind of cooled off?

Maybe fear is still holding you hostage: fear of judgment, fear of failure, fear of rejection. Perfect love casts out fear. Or perhaps there's someone that God is calling you to love, but it's easier to ignore than it is to engage. Let the Holy Spirit perfect his love in us today. Not just so we can feel loved, but also so that others can see his love through us.

Guest (Male): We're going through the New Testament here on A Daily Walk with our pastor and teacher John Randall. If you missed any part of the journey or would just like to hear a message again, visit adailywalk.org or look for A Daily Walk wherever you get your podcasts and at oneplace.com. One more option is our church app. Check out the Calvary South OC church app in your favorite app store.

Pastor John has just come out with a new book titled The Other Side of Sunday. In it he offers an honest look at the joys, pressures, prayers, and personal costs of pastoral ministry that often go unseen from the other side of the pulpit. Through heartfelt stories, humor, biblical wisdom, and years of shepherding experience, Pastor John invites the reader into the moments that shape a pastor long after the service ends.

We're making it available to our Daily Walk listeners for the cost of just $15. Maybe request an extra copy to give to your pastor. Ordering is easy online at adailywalk.org or call us at 877-242-0828. Again, 877-242-0828 and adailywalk.org.

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In these difficult days, it is so important that we be praying for one another. So please send in your prayer requests today. We'd love to hear from you. Our email address is adailywalk@gmail.com. That's adailywalk@gmail.com. Well, that's all the time we have for today, but we'll continue through the Bible with John Randall next time. This has been A Daily Walk where you'll never have to walk alone.