Love or Fear

When I was a little girl I went to Sunday School and sang “Jesus Love Me” and I knew he was always watching over me. However, I also knew that while watching over me, God also knew everything I did…good or bad! This made me fear Him. I often envisioned Him “making a list and checking it twice to see if I had been naughty or nice”. Sound familiar? I am sure many of you, as children, also had some of those same thoughts.

Yes, there is a fear of God, meaning a reverence for His Person and authority, which is the heart of true Faith. However, we miss so much if we don’t really know how much He really loves us! Love casts out all fear.

As a child, we mature and grow physically and mentally. As children of God we also mature and grow spiritually in our faith. During our spiritual walk on this earth, there are times when God’s great love is brought home to us. It may be at the death of a loved one when we realize that only because of God great love for us, we will see our loved one again in God’s house of many rooms. Thank you, Jesus! It may be through a tragedy that we don’t understand that God’s love and strength is poured out on us…..one day at a time. Or our eyes may be opened when we see God provide where provision seems impossible. God will reveal that perfect love to each of us in His own way. God reveals himself in His love.

1 John 4 :18a assures us, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love drives out fear…” Holding that confidence in our hearts , let us go forth in love. “We love because He first loved us”. 1 John 4;1

What better gift could we give our children and grandchildren then to remind them every day that we love them and our loving, forgiving God loves them in His perfect way!

Jan Knicely, Associate in Ministry, emeritus

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church