Christ is Coming #25

Yesterday we looked at the Apostle John's call to love in I John 4. Today we look at his conclusion to that call in verse:

17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 19 We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.

John makes a direct correlation between loving fellow believers and assurance about our relationship with God.  If we have received the love of God, then we will have no fear of judgment day, because we and God are at peace.  That peace and love will flow over into every relationship in our lives; God's love and peace are our source for love and peace.  If it is not present in our other relationships, we better make sure we truly have received it from Him.  What believer do you not want to spend eternity with? That may be a problem.