Love never brings fear, for fear is always related to punishment. But love’s perfection drives the fear of punishment far from our hearts. Whoever walks constantly afraid of punishment has not reached love’s perfection.

1 John 4:19 (TPT)

 

Have you ever wondered how God feels about you when you revert to your old sinful habits or add some new ones? Do you think God is angry, upset, or ashamed of you because you continue to make mistakes? Or do you believe God is still good to you even when you have lost faith?

Many believers believe God is deeply disappointed with them because of their failures to overcome sin and temptation. They feel and think this way because they do not understand the gospel. And they will continue to struggle until they return to the fundamental truth of the gospel that God loves them without measure.

Such believers tend to centre everything they are and do around sin rather than Christ. A sin-obsessed life stunts spiritual growth, health, and vitality. To counteract the false assumption that God's love is dependent on our spiritual conditions or performance, we remember our relationship with God rests on His Spirit working in and through us to walk uprightly before Him.

A life with God entails resting in His perfect love that casts out the fear of judgment. It is to discover God's amazing love again and again and be surprised each time. It is knowing that God's plan is not to destroy us, but rather to discipline us in love to bring us back to Himself.

We must remove all artificial barriers between God and ourselves, because nothing can ever separate us from God's eternal love (Romans 8:39). Being completely convinced of this truth gives you the freedom to live without fear or guilt and the power to live victoriously in Christ.