Jan 26 – Perfect Love!

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18).

You should be perfected in your love toward God and to others. There was once a cruel murderer with an arrogant attitude. Before he attacks the enemy, he will spit on that person and create a spirit of rage within himself, and then with a loud scream, he will terrify the person before beating him down.

The police arrested him and put him in the prison. There a Pastor met him and preached him with all kindness, about the love of God. But all that he did was to show his anger and bitterness to the pastor. Without minding such insults, the pastor lovingly turned him toward Christ, with a smiling face and kind words.

When the murderer got redeemed, he could realise the great love of Christs, who is now residing within him. He also wanted to be perfected in that love. In the night times, he kept on telling God: Lord, I love you so much. I love you with all my heart.

After that, with whoever he wanted to be redeemed, he would join his heart with their hearts, and form a channel of love, in their direction. Then he would pray for love of Christ to flow in that direction. He would keep on saying: ‘Brother, Lord Jesus loves you so much. He loved you so greatly, that he laid down His life for you. There is no one in this world who can love you like Jesus.’ Through these efforts, he was able to lead many souls into Christ.

The Scripture tells us: “No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us” (1 John 4:12). You should grow in Godly love and progress toward perfect love. The Scripture repeatedly stresses on the importance of holiness and godly love. Therefore, it is not enough that you be perfected in love but Godly love should also flow through you.

Our Lord Jesus said: “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31). Children of God, when Christ – who is love personified, comes into your heart, you will be certainly be perfected in love and meet the Lord at His coming with joy.

Verse for further meditation: “keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (Jude 21).