Dayton Chronicle - Your Hometown News Source

The Bible prophecies that, toward the end times, “men’s hearts would fail them for fear”. In other words, the emotion of fear would be so great that their physical hearts couldn’t take it.

How opposite that is from what God has planned for His very own child! He has placed His personal love within us by the Holy Spirit. Through His love we enter a relationship with Him in which He is our precious Father. That love expels all fear. We do not have to give way to the emotion of fear. Like the Godly woman spoken of in Proverbs 30, we, too can “laugh at the days to come”.

God loves us. The fear stemming from inward guilt and condemnation has been expelled by the love of God. Through repentance and faith in Christ we are justified and made right with God. Christ died for our sins. God has forgiven us. Jesus Christ is Risen! There is no condemnation for those who trust in Him. His perfect love provides us with assurance and freedom for the future.

Whatever happens, whatever we go through, nothing can separate us from His love that assures, calms, comforts, and gives hope. The Bible puts it like this: “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.

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. 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” 1 Jn. 4:16-18.

Yes! In this world we are like Jesus. We are in Him, sheltered by grace and alive by His Holy Spirit! Goodbye, fear. Welcome, love of God!

Pastor Greg Brownell

Dayton United Brethren Church