LOVE OVER FEAR

Dining with Jesus Christian Episodes

PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS

IF YOU LIKE THIS POST PLEASE FOLLOW US, SHARE WITH OTHERS AND PLEASE LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS AND GIVE US A LIKE.

Translate this site into your preferred language, look for our Google translator in our home page: diningwithjesus.net

Traduce este sitio en tu idioma preferido, busca nuestro traductor de Google en nuestra página de inicio ve a: diningwithjesus.net

Should we be afraid of God? 

Afterall, the Lord is all powerful, perfectly righteous, holy in all of his ways, and has all dominion and authority. It would seem wise to treat such an incomprehensibly powerful ruler with a healthy dose of fear. 

Personally, I think that we have neglected the might and power of the Lord and are far too quick to treat God like we would treat another human being. It is good for us to live in awe of the Living God. 

But, should we be afraid? 

In the passage that follows, the Apostle John makes it clear that the love of God should drive fear of God out of us, making room in us for confidence that is based on his past actions toward us. 

16 And 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 them. 17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There 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.

(1 John 4:16-18 NIV11) 

Without

If we refuse the love of God as given to us in and through the work of Jesus Christ, we should indeed have fear. 

  •   We should fear the prospect of God’s justice being applied directly upon our sin. 
  •   If we are not included in the gift of God’s mercy and grace that are received by faith in the person of Jesus Christ, then yes, be afraid of the coming judgment of your live and soul. 
  •   The person that refuses the love of God as found in Christ Jesus will be given what they have asked for at the end of their earthly life. If they do not want to be included in the work of the Christ, then the Lord will not force them into his presence. 
  •   I would definitely be afraid if I were not united with Christ.

But God

As the Apostle John says, we should not fear God nor should we fear our transition into our eternal nature and eternal home in heaven. We should not fear the judgement our sins deserve because of the love of God.

Jesus Christ has welcomed all who will come to him by faith into the love of God that destroys the need for fear. If we are in Christ, then all that we will experience as his followers will come to us as a part of the love of God. 

Not Passive

While God is love, this does not mean that God is permissive or accepting of our sin. 

As we hear in the message of Hebrews 12:5-6, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”

In his love for us, the Lord seeks to mold us and shape us into the image and nature of Jesus Christ. Therefore the Lord will, as a loving father, bring discipline to us when we are disobedient or when our love and passion for the Lord grows cold. 

Right

  •   We are right to view the Lord with a sense of awe and wonder. 
  •   We are right to bow low before the King of Kings. 
  •   And in the same way, we are right to draw close to Jesus and to enjoy his love with each and every moment we live. 

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, I am in awe of you. You are the Eternal Word, the agent and power of creation. You are the one who is Faithful and True. You are the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Beginning and the End. I bow before you as I willingly embrace the gift of love that you have given me. I am humbled and comforted by your mercy and grace. 

In Christ, 

Ryan Laden

PASTOR RYAN LADEN


Works at MTN. CHURCH

Former Senior pastor at Warnbro Community Church

Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at Baylor University

Studied at Texas Tech University

Went to Castle Hills First Baptist

Copyright © 2024 Ryan Laden – All Rights Reserved.

Unknown's avatar

Published by Dining with Jesus Christian Episodes

DINING WITH JESUS PRODUCTIONS. - is a 501 C3 Non-Profit Organization. DINING WITH JESUS MISSION STATEMENT Our mission is to give honor glory and praise to our Creator. With our Christian episodes create spiritual awareness among all nations about the importance of having a relationship with Jesus. With God’s love we cast out His word to all the nations of the world to gather His church. DINING WITH JESUS VISION STATEMENT Our vision is to strengthen families through God’s word and increasing the number of people locally and from all nations to come to Jesus. God’s word will spiritually heal and transform individuals and communities creating a sense of purpose and meaning in their lives along with responsibility and accountability. Churches, business owners, non-profits and other organizations will participate in DWJ episodes providing all our viewers information about basic community resources to better the lives of their families. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? James 2:16 New International Version (NIV). DINING WITH JESUS OUTCOME We are here to strengthen families and with God’s blessing we will see an increasing number of episodes helping us to bring people locally and from all nations to Jesus. All these people will make a difference in their families and in their community. We will build up an ongoing network of support with Evangelical Christian churches, the Christian community, nonprofit organizations, business owners and families to continue to strengthen families. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20 NKJ. To watch our Christian blogs and videos for free go to: diningwithjesus.net Pease follow us and share with others. Please keep this Ministry in your daily prayers. God bless you. Dining with Jesus TV Copyright 2016-2021