“Boys, do we need to have a little talk?” My husband smiled and nodded with his eyebrows raised and head tilted towards our young sons, who had been bickering forcefully about something inconsequential.
They knew exactly what he meant and shook their heads, “No.”
Prior to this, he had only needed to administer discipline a few times with each boy before they could be brought into line with just that one question and look.
Our verses today speak of being afraid of punishment. The apostle John refers to the “day of judgment” which is when, as Paul wrote, “We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body (2 Corinthians 5:10 NLT). If, as John writes in today’s scripture, “we have put our trust in his love”, then “we will not be afraid on the day of judgment”. We will be able to face God “with confidence”; not self-confidence but confidence in his love which he showed by washing our sins away with the blood of Christ. He also enables us to “live like Jesus here in this world” through the power of the Holy Spirit.
The punishment mentioned in this passage is not referring to when God disciplines us to help us become holy. The kind of discipline my husband used with our children is mentioned in Hebrews twelve where you can read more about this chastening from God.
But, if we are afraid of eternal punishment in hell on the day of judgment, that means “that we have not [yet] fully experienced his [complete] perfect love.”
Dear Lord, Help me know in my heart how much you love me. Help me to put all my trust in your love. Thank you that you live in me and that my love for you becomes more complete as I continue to live in you. Thank you for removing my fear of eternal punishment and replacing it with confidence in your eternal salvation. Thank you for making me like Jesus more and more as I surrender to you daily.
Throughout this day: Spend some time meditating on this passage in I John 4. Write out a verse that is especially meaningful to you. Keep it where you will see it often.
Photo Credit: Bridgette Tohm