The Peace of His Perfect Love

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

—2 Timothy 1:7 KJV

Don’t allow fear to rule your mind. It destroys all hope. Fear cannot live where His love and faith abound. “There is no fear in love,” the Holy Spirit whispers (1 John 4:18). No fear in His love! Wouldn’t it be incredible to live with a peacefully sound mind? A sound mind isn't just a dream. It is your promise of His reality.

“Perfect love drives out fear,” Paul continues in 1 John 4:18, “because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18, NIV).

Fear is the blight of this sinful world. There is a fear of illness, poverty, loneliness, and devastation. Fear runs rampant. But the Holy Spirit promises to the believer who lives in doubt and fear that the perfect love of Jesus drives out fear. Fear has to do with punishment, this verse also says. Fear rises when you don't believe you have approval and acceptance—when you think that you have committed an unforgivable sin for which you must pay. You have forgiveness in Jesus! Never forget that His perfect love drives out the fear of punishment. When you know you have His mercy, there is no need to fear. You are made perfect in Christ by the grace of Calvary. His perfect love forgives and washes away the guilt and shame of sin. When you realize you have no debt to pay because Jesus has paid it—when you comprehend that you have forgiveness because of His perfect love for you—you have no reason to fear. Faith springs up because Jesus, who forgives you, has the power to make all things new. And only He can renew your mind with His perfect love.

Fear is the opposite of faith. When you allow the Holy Spirit to change your perspective to His, you are made new within the spirit of your mind. You have faith. You can choose it in all situations. God has given you His power, and with His perfect love, a sound mind that banishes fear. His perfect love—alive in you—casts out all doubt and fear And without fear, you discover that you are at rest in His all-embracing peace. Your heart is at rest. Your mind is sound because your thoughts focus on Him.

“You will keep in perfect peace,” He promises, “those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you” (Isaiah 26:3, NIV). 

© 2020 Lynn Lacher

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