As many times as we've meditated on I John 4, we always seem to miss the context of just how perfect love is able to cast out fear in the first place.
Anyone reading this has loved someone while simultaneously being frightened for them or their ill-advised choices. And anyone who has been frightened for someone knows that love can motivate us to make a difference (or at least attempt to) while fear is a consuming thing that can lead to bitterness, heartache, division among friends and family, and even physical symptoms. I once worried myself into a stomach ulcer over missing a loved one before I learned to leave these things in God's hands.
This kind of amplified love does just what the Bible says it does: it tells it to take a hike. It may even prevent an ulcer or two.
Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.A few observations:
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
--I John 4:17-18.
1. Perfect love must be "made" perfect (in other words, complete, comprehensive). It does not start out that way. It can be built upon, therefore not everyone who professes faith has that level of love.
2. "As he [Jesus] is" means we who are alive on this earth have a high mark to aspire to when it comes to this love.
3. The Day of Judgment is no day in traffic court. It's not few minutes before the Judge, and then, after checking the Lamb's Book of Life, you get waved right into heaven. Leading up to the Day is a frankly horrifying deal of persecution, divine judgment, and supernatural signs. Even the elect shall be deceived (Mark 13:22). Grown men's hearts will fail them (Luke 21:26). The ramp up to it will be frightening, as are the "birth pangs" (Matthew 24:8) no matter how far out we are. We'll need that boldness as God's judgment (and Satan's amped-up rebellion) approaches.
4. Love cannot contain fear anymore than darkness can fully contain light (John 1:5). But there are degrees of each. In this case, fear is an anti-type of light: even a tiny flicker cannot exist in a pitch black cave or it is ever so slightly illuminated.
5. It is only perfected love that casts out fear. Imperfect love must fall short of that goal, even while testifying against fear, showing a better way forward, wooing enemies, etc.
6. "Fear has torment." Torment is the result of fear, and is not at all concerned with the overall well-being of others nor the long-range effects of an action. Any amount of fear, no matter how small, has torment. Note how it does not refer to "perfect fear." Plain, garden variety fear does the job. Love has a property of calming that torment, but only when love is fully expressed and full developed can it overwhelm it and cast it away.
7. Fear should not be confused with the fear of the Lord (or reverence, Acts 9:31), cautiousness (what the King James Bible would call circumspect-ness, cp. Exodus 23:13), or concern over the effects of sin in one's self or in the lives of others (conviction, virtue, etc.). There is also a such thing as righteous anger (Psalm 139:19–22).
On observation 7, consider that the fear of the Lord is in stark contrast with the fear of man.
"The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe." --Proverb 29:25.
Also:
"I’ll tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question,” Jesus replied.
“Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human?”
They talked it over among themselves. “If we say it was from heaven, he will ask us why we didn’t believe John."But if we say it was merely human, we’ll be mobbed because the people believe John was a prophet.”
--Matthew 21:24-26 (NLT).
Choices, choices. Follow Jesus or fear the mob. The man-fearer may in their heart and mind want to follow Christ, but may be more motivated by earthly reasons to follow man's ways. Consider how Nicodemus opted to stay with the leadership of the Pharisees rather than joining the adventure of a lifetime in following the Messiah of Israel (John chapters 3, 7, 19 -- a good read for Easter weekend).
Fear manifests itself in many ways, more than just concerning angry mobs. The outbreak and domestic arrival of coronavirus/COVID-19 over the past month or two has brought out a lot of fear -- sometimes justified (the virus is deadly and dangerous, which is why we have opted to meet online via video conferencing in the meantime). But often that fear is often reactionary and sometimes unjust.
(Sidenote: As one recent example of an unjust reaction here in the Austin metro area, the mayor of Austin shut down every sit-down bar and restaurant in this town known for its night life and live music scene, except for airport "sky lounges." I kid you not.)
The reaction of churches to the shut down orders was eye-opening: how rapidly they agreed to close without questioning the rationale behind the decisions (e.g. why liquor stores can still pack in the customers so long as they maintain "social distancing" guidelines, but even small churches are not offered the same opportunity). On one hand, it was impressive to see the quick turning of the cheek.
Those ministers who rebelled against the orders and defiantly drew in the crowds faced an ire from their brethren unseen in recent times.
Others ministers, by stark contrast, were quick to close things down completely: only poking their heads out once it became clear that online meetings and clever alternatives such as drive-in services were being implemented by their peers.
(Another sidenote: Now we see clearly how "underground churches" came to be in countries where Christianity is officially persecuted. Maybe the persecution started out lightly and in the interests of keeping the peace, and the Church was complacent with those orders.)
Through this, I've developed a greater appreciation for the brave souls who dare to ask the important questions and find creative ways to make sure their loved ones are healthy and fed. I resolve to keep them close.
But I'm finding it's not just courage we should seek after. Without love, courage succumbs to fear -- it becomes a simulated bravery fueled by hatred for those who step out of line with one's personal beliefs or social parameters. And both extremes of the debate over COVID-19 quarantines can fall prey to that.
Those who are reacting in perfect love and not fear find themselves in a rare category: taking the outbreak quite seriously, looking out for the vulnerable, yet not being consumed with worry about what may happen. Nor do they wax on romantically (perhaps annoyingly) about the plight of those adjusting to "the new normal." Instead, the person powered by God's love is God's idea of normal: a pillar of strength during a time such as this, and the worse times yet to come.
I may hold my courageous brethren who weathered this recent outbreak close to my heart from now on. But I think I will also turn some ordinate attention to those who caved into fear, encouraging them to instead follow after love as a means of building the only kind of courage that actually matters. This will be especially true for those with mental health conditions or traumatic life-experiences who require a loving response instead of the strong arm of the law.
In all this, Paul exhorts us to:
"Warn them that are unruly.Paul presents us a tall order that only God's love can empower us to fulfill.
"Comfort the feeble-minded [or faint of heart].
"Support the weak.
"Be patient toward all men."
--I Thessalonians 5:14.
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