I John 4:18-19
17 By this, the love (which God has for us) reaches its goal with us,
to the end that we may have confidence on the day of
judgment;
namely that just as Christ is, so also are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love; rather perfect love casts out fear,
because fear involves punishment,
indeed the one who fears has not been perfected by love.
19 We love, because He first loved us.
Introduction
Our text this morning continues our study of John’s first Epistle
Now remember, the Apostle John has given us the two definitive marks by which we can distinguish with certainty that which is from God and that which is not. John says that any teaching which says the same thing about Jesus as God does is from God. In turn, that which loves God and the things that God loves is from God.
However, the false teachers who are troubling John’s flock are doing so by teaching that people must follow the course of spiritual enlightenment that the false teachers offer in order to earn God’s favor, love, and salvation. Not only that, these false teachers are also manipulating people with the uncertainty of God’s acceptance/approval.
Therefore, in our text this morning John turns to show us the single source of the marks of true faith and the certainty that this source provides
Verse 17 (review)
Notice at once John tells us that the goal of God’s love and salvation has been reached because just as Christ is so also are we in this world. However, please note what John does not say: John does not say that God’s goal for His love and salvation are reached when we live perfectly just like Jesus did while He was on this earth. That is, John does not say that we are as Christ was. Instead, John says that we are as Christ is (right now to day- present tense). So how is Christ right now to day? Remember, Scripture tells us that Jesus is seated at the Father’s right hand. Not only that, He is seated there because the Father has accepted/received the full salvation that Jesus accomplished for us. Notice then the point: verse 17 says that the goal of God’s love and salvation are reached because right now today in this world (not the world or life to come) Christ has secured our relationship/ acceptance with God. Therefore, just as Christ is in God’s eyes so also are we.
Next, notice the result of God’s goal: John says that our salvation means that we have confidence on the Day of Judgment. Importance: remember, the false teachers in John’s day are playing on the fear that God will not actually accept you. However, John turns your eyes to Jesus and says that God’s love is already yours and your acceptance is already secured. Therefore, because Christ accomplished the goal of God’s love (your salvation), you have confidence with regards to the Day of Judgement, both its outcome and God’s acceptance of you. Not only that, John says you have this confidence right now today in this world. FN#1
Verse 18
Next, notice John says that there is no fear in love. Importance: the fear that John has in mind here is specifically a fear and uncertainty in your relationship with God FN#2. Notice then, John says that perfect love casts out fear FN#3. However, please note what John is not saying: John is not saying that you are expected to achieve perfection in your own love and that when you do you will then and only then have security in your salvation. Remember, throughout this passage the focus is not on your love but on God’s love. Think about it: verse 17 just told us that God’s love has reached its goal in Christ. That is, Christ has perfectly completed the purpose that God’s love set for us (our full salvation). As such, God’s completed perfect love has cast out every ground for fear. That is, it has removed all insecurity and separation that sin has brought to our relationship with God. Simply put, the goal of God’s love has been perfectly and completely realized by Christ. In turn, this perfect and perfected love casts out all reason for fear and uncertainty regarding our relationship with and acceptance by God FN#4.
Next, notice why John says that there is no fear in love: John says that there is no fear in love because fear involves punishment. However, when Christ perfectly realized the goal of God’s love, He paid the full price (bore the full punishment) for our sins. Therefore, God’s perfect love has removed all the sin and guilt that would be the basis of our fear of God and His rejection/judgement. Simply put: the fear of punishment stands in direct contradiction to the reconciliation and atonement accomplished by God’s perfect love. The two are utterly incompatible.
Next, notice that if the first part of verse 18 showed us the result of God’s love, then the second part shows us the result of its absence: notice then, John says that the one who fears has not been perfected by (God’s) love. However, please note: once again John is not suggesting that you are somehow expected to reach perfection in this life. Remember, for John, Christ is the believer’s perfection. That is, Christ’s perfect love, obedience, and salvation count for us. Therefore, as Christ is in God’s eyes so also are we. As such, to be perfected by God’s love means to be fully and perfectly saved by God’s Son. Notice then the point: John says that the one who fears has not received Christ and the payment/salvation He accomplished. Instead, they stand before God on their own merits. As such, they are morally afraid of God. Therefore, they avoid, deny, and run from God. However, that said notice John’s play on the notion of perfection. Remember, the salvation that Christ accomplished for us is already unfolding in us. Thus, one day we will stand before God fully and finally complete. However, in the meantime, when we fear/doubt God’s love and acceptance; when we grow uncertain about our standing; or when we allow the world’s speculations and false spirituality to unsettle the confidence that is ours in Christ, John says we are acting inconsistently with who we are and what Christ has done. The result is that any such fear and doubt is a call to repent and return our eyes to Jesus and what Jesus has done.
Verse 19
Finally, notice that every detail of verse 19 confirms our reading thus far: the focus of our passage has been on God’s love because God’s love goes first. That is, God’s love is the basis and source of any endeavor by us to faithfully reflect that love. Notice then John says we love because He first loved us. In other words, far from preaching a self-derived guilt based perfection, John proclaims the primacy of God’s love and grace (God always goes first). Likewise, in contrast to the world’s man-based religions, God’s love is the only source of our security, salvation, and change. Finally, remember, the grace that saves you is a grace that changes you. Therefore, because God has poured out His love and salvation, the believer has an ever growing desire to reflect that love by loving God and the things that God love as God commands. Next week we will see our grace given reflection of God’s love.
Bottom line: John exhorts us to preach the Gospel to ourselves every day. That is, John points to Christ and reminds us that as Christ is in God’s eyes so also are we. Therefore, our relationship with God is not defined by fear or insecurity. Instead, we have the confidence that we are the beloved children of God. As such, we are secure to repent and certain of our Father’s delight to forgive and heal.
Footnotes
1] For a more complete breakdown of verse 17 please see the sermon on I John 4:17
2] Note: the fear that John has in mind here (a fear and uncertainty in our relationship with God) should not be confused with the positive biblical notion of “fear of the Lord”. “Fear of the Lord” is not an uncertainty but rather a proper awe, reverence, and devout worship of God.
3] In fact, in verse 17 when John said that we have confidence on the Day of Judgement, the word that John uses for confidence at its root means to be without fear. Notice then the flow of the conversation: Christ has accomplished the goal of God’s love. Therefore, we have confidence in God’s full acceptance of us. The reason we have confidence is because the realization of God’s love casts out all fear and uncertainty.
4] Notice John’s polemic on the notion of perfection. In the face of the false teachers’ man-based perfection, John discloses true biblical perfection. Thus, throughout this passage (4:12, 17, and 18) the notion of God’s perfect love is shown to us from different angles. In each case, John uses the same word to describe God’s love (τελειόω– perfect, complete, realized):
In verse 12 God’s love is completed (or manifested) by his children to those who do not know/see God
12 No one has ever seen God; when we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is made complete (τελειόω) through us.
In verse 17 God’s love reaches its goal for us in Christ
17 By this, the love (which God has for us) reaches its goal (τελειόω) with us, to the end that we may have confidence on the day of judgment; namely that just as Christ is, so also are we in this world.
In verse 18 God’s perfect and realized love casts out all fear
18 There is no fear in love; rather perfect love (τελειόω) casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, indeed the one who fears has not been perfected (τελειόω) by love.
Finally, verse 19 reminds us that God’s perfect love is the single source/standard of our own love.
19 We love, because He first loved us.
The result of John play on the notion of perfect (τελειόω) is that we see God’s love is the solitary basis of our salvation and security. Not only that, this basis is perfect and lacking nothing. However, at the same time, God’s love is not a static, ethereal, or abstract notion. Instead, it is a dynamic reality in the believer’s life. Thus, it is a love that we have received and which we take an active part. As such, we are redeemed by God’s love, we abide in God’s love, and we reflect God’s love to others. God’s love is perfect, complete, realized by Christ, and reflected/manifested by His people.