Dependable Love

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. (1 John 4:16)
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. We love because he first loved us. (1 John 4:18-19)

The love of the Father is totally reliable. It is not fickle, swayed by the uncertainty of circumstances or emotion. When John writes that we can 'know and rely' on the love that God has for us, he is using words that describe a relationship, they describe an experience. They are words that go beyond facts or knowledge resting in our mind. John starts this letter by telling his readers about the things that he himself has seen, heard and touched. He is describing his experience and is inviting us into a similar and personal encounter with God, as Father. 

It's a relationship of life that is rooted and grounded in love. One of the biggest hindrances we face is fear. Fear paralyses and seeks to destroy the life of God in us. It holds us back and prevents us living fully as sons and daughters. 

As we rely on the Father's love, fear has to go. The more we live in love the more our fears are driven away. Fear condemns but love releases and sets us free. Too often we try and face our fears which that can be draining. Instead, let us turn into love for it is love that will drive the fear away.