Perfect Love

At times I struggle with the fear of God, doubts, my worthiness (how could God possibly love me?) and what that really means. I don't have doubts about my beliefs or faith, but doubts about do I believe enough or am I doing enough (and I am not going down the path of God's grace and our good works). I also have doubts about judgment day. Anyway I was recently reading 1 John 4 and just got so encouraged, it was like a light for me.

15If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. 16And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 17In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. 18There 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.

I believe God is love and perfect love will drive out fear and God and His love are certainly perfect. You also know I can't (for some reason) just stop there. I found a commentary from Mathew Henry that described it this way.

"There must be a day of universal judgment. Happy those who shall have holy boldness before the Judge at that day; knowing he is their Friend and Advocate! Happy those who have holy boldness in the prospect of that day, who look and wait for it, and for the Judge's appearance! True love to God assures believers of God's love to them. Love teaches us to suffer for him and with him; therefore we may trust that we shall also be glorified with him, 2Ti 2:12. We must distinguish between the fear of God and being afraid of him; the fear of God imports high regard and veneration for God. Obedience and good works, done from the principle of love, are not like the servile toil of one who unwillingly labors from dread of a master's anger. They are like that of a dutiful child, who does services to a beloved father, which benefit his brethren, and are done willingly. It is a sign that our love is far from perfect, when our doubts, fears, and apprehensions of God, are many. Let heaven and earth stand amazed at his love. He sent his word to invite sinners to partake of this great salvation. Let them take the comfort of the happy change wrought in them, while they give him the glory. The love of God in Christ, in the hearts of Christians from the Spirit of adoption, is the great proof of conversion."

I know my love is far from perfect, but I do know I have a friend and advocate in Christ and we can all take comfort in God's perfect love. "If we endure" and work through all our doubts, fears and temptations, God's love will be there for us. Just think...Holy Boldness again. I hope you all have a great day!

Father, heaven and earth do stand amazed at Your love and I do too!

Grace and Peace!

Holy Boldness

Well it has been a while (or at least it seems it to me). In my last blog I briefly mentioned being stretched and lacking confidence. I mentioned that to do this would require me to take a very uncomfortable step and would take a little something called Holy Boldness. Well by God’s grace I was able to complete my test. I delivered my first sermon with much help and great encouragement by friends, family and my Father in heaven.

I really came to understand this term Holy Boldness. Spurgeon used it frequently, but I really could never find the term defined (not even in my “Religion for Dummies” book). So I did a little research, examined how it was used and came up with that Holy Boldness is a grace filled confidence to move forward toward something that will glorify God. It is a confidence to overcome indifference or fear; confidence gained through Christ’s actions and our prayer to take faithful action.

I am reminded of Matthew 25:35-40

35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' 37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Father, may we all have the Holy Boldness to do for you!

Grace and Peace!

Confidence?

Well, I am about to embark on something that will stretch me beyond comfort. Something in my spiritual journey I have never attempted before. I am nervous and concerned. I lack confidence. I am studying and praying; attempting to prepare. I have come to realize that at times our efforts will require some Holy Boldness (more to come on this) and faith. Have you ever had to take that uncomfortable step?

My blogs are going to be less frequent as a result, but I thought I would attempt to capture some of my thoughts and fears as I move forward. Christian growth is an amazing thing and in the past my concerns over something new and challenging would have centered around me (and I know they still do to a degree), but now my concerns include things like a fear of embarrassing my Savior, misleading others, if what I am about to attempt would help or turn others away. Don’t get me wrong, I am still concerned that I might do something that would embarrass me and/or my family, but now there is more.

I think that is a good thing and prayerfully proof of growth. It brings to mind Colossians 1:9-12:

9For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

Father, please grant us knowledge of you, knowledge of your will, the power (Holy Boldness?) and patience to endure and help us always to bear fruit for you in every good work.

Grace and Peace