How this begins:
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. – 1 John 4:18
How it breaks down:
FEAR: Fear,
Dread, Terror
That which
strikes terror
Agapē LOVE:
Affection, Good Will, Benevolence, brotherly love
An example to help us understand GOD’s grace and love
There is confusion among folks about GOD and Fear. As in – some
know that GOD is love with complete understanding -- but they may also fear HIM
as in dread or apprehension.
A healthy ‘fear’ [reverence] is right and proper. But, if
you understand the concept of forgiveness or forgive as discussed in the Bible
especially in the ‘New’ Testament you will not be dreading GOD or fear HIM in a
way that you may be punished for something. Notice what Jesus said regarding a
woman who those {Pharisees} in Jesus’ presence considered a sinner. [The irony
is not lost on the regular reader of the Bible. They will be familiar with the
religious leadership of Jesus’ day]
The point begins in a discussion at Luke 7 at around verse 36
and concludes in verse 50. A very profound statement is made in verse 47: “Wherefore
I say unto thee, her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much:
but to whom
little is forgiven, the same loveth little.” The Greek word for
‘loveth’ is agapaō which means as part of its definition ‘in a social or moral
sense’. –Strong’s Definition.
Please read the entire account in Luke 7 and meditate on
that portion of verse 47 italicized above. Forgiveness or the act of forgiving
is closely linked to ‘agapaō [love]. Not in a romance or family sense but in a
social or moral sense. So, in the case of the woman, one way to understand it
would be: Jesus was so impressed with her sense of humility and charity despite
being a practicing sinner HE wanted to forgive her past so she might be so
impressed as to demonstrate a social and
moral sense from then on. Or, by acknowledging her act of love, Jesus knew she
was forgiven. As a reference and to show consistency by GOD throughout the
Bible please consider from the ‘Old’ Testament this very comprehensive
statement:
“I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.” Isa 43:25
What a clarifying statement.
Your sins are no longer called to GOD’s mind; there is no
need to ‘fear’ HIM.
Now this:
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. -1 John 4:7
"...God is love." -- 1 John 4:8
Thayer’s Greek Lexicon: To love, to be full of good will and
exhibit the same
Do we understand GOD’s Grace?
If God’s Grace is fully understood, fully accepted and fully
appreciated by a person that person would be moved in gratitude for the free
gift of Grace from GOD. It is nothing we deserve; nothing we did to ‘earn’ it.
If GOD is going to forgive us our sins, wipe them from HIS mind THUS extending
grace why would we be fearful of HIM. HE loved us so much as to provide our
redemption through the giving of HIS only begotten SON to die on our behalf and
then to rise again providing the only sacrifice that could be made. Again, why
would you be in fear, or afraid of GOD? That is not to say that we should not ‘fear’
HIM as it relates to reverence and respect. Surely, we should always be in awe
of HIM and in that awe we would be constrained to live as to the Spirit and not
to the flesh!
Our task:
Forgive –
and love.
Be forgiven
much, love much.
Understand: GOD
IS LOVE
Bible Reading Suggestions
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| ©Lightwritingmatters 2015 |
©Lightwritingmatters 2015
