November 06, 2026 | Be Connected
No Fear in Love
Scripture: 1 John 4:17-21(NIV)
17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
Devotional
There are hundreds of verses in the Bible about love. Why then did the Apostle John feel the need to write these verses about love in 1 John 4:17-21? What is unique and special about the verses? What can we learn from John’s words?
One author noted that the book of 1 John is “modest in language yet deep in theology” (Sanchez, 2011). Another author noted that love was one of the most important things that John learned from his time with Jesus and that the “power of Jesus’s love transformed John’s life” (Swindoll, Insight for Living). Here are some main themes in each verse that may help in understanding them.
Verse 17 – On the day of judgment, we will understand completely what perfect love in God is. We really do not have any idea of how magnificent God is and how perfect His love is until that time. (Guzak, Enduring Word)
Verse 18 – On the day of judgment, God’s perfect love will drive out any fear we have about His love. (Guzak, Enduring Word)
Verse 19 – God loved us even before He created the world or created mankind. God loved us so much that He gave His only Son to save us from our sins (John 3:16,17).
Verse 20 – If we love God, we must love our brothers and sisters, too. Love of our brothers and sisters is evidence of God’s love (Swindoll, Insight for Living).
Verse 21 – This verse has the same theme as the great commandment verses in Matthew and John. In Matthew, Jesus said “Love God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind,” and “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37,39). In John, Jesus said: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34,35)
Reflection Question: What can I do today to reflect my love for God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit and my love for brothers and sisters?
Hymn: Because He Lives
“God sent his Son, they called him Jesus; he came to love, heal, and forgive; He lived and died to buy my pardon, an empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.
Because he lives, I can face tomorrow; because he lives, all fear is gone; Because I know he holds the future, and life is worth the living just because he lives.”
(Gloria and William J. Gaither, 1971)
