Perfect Love Casts Out Fear

“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. 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.” 1 John 4:17–18

This month of the year is called “spooky season” by some. When you walk into any store, you are bombarded with skeletons, witches, ghosts, and many other characters that are deemed scary. The time leading up to Halloween brings a connotation of frightening stories, places, and creatures. 

Beyond this, though, there is something many people fear that can be truly terrifying. When we think about the judgment of God, images flash through our minds: standing before a Great White Throne, shaking, and hearing the word “Depart”; being separated from our loved ones forever; tall, scorching, orange flames that perpetually burn and bring torment. These ideas are what we associate with judgment, and it is no wonder that they incite fear. 

We also fear judgment because we know that we are guilty. If we are to be judged for our sins, each of us knows our own sins better than anyone else does. We know the thoughts that go unsaid, the deeds we do in secret. We recognize what the Psalmist said: “If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?” (Psalm 130:3). If the Lord were to hold our deeds against us, none of us could stand.

However, the good news is that we can stand. This is not because we are sinless. This is not because we don’t deserve to be judged. It is because of the love of God. 

1 John 4:17 tells us that God’s love is perfected in us so that we can have confidence for the day of judgment. We can have this confidence “because as [Jesus] is so also are we in this world.” This means we have the righteousness of Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21). Although we will still stumble in sin, through the cross of Christ, we are justified and forgiven. Therefore, we can have confidence on the day of judgment! The Christian doesn’t have to be afraid or shrink away when we consider this coming day. 

The next verse continues speaking about fear, telling us that “perfect love casts out fear.” God has loved us with a perfect love. His love was shown in that “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). His love is unconditional; it is steadfast; it is faithful. This perfect love can cast out our fear because, as those who have been perfected in love, we know that our judgment will not determine our salvation. We will be judged based on Jesus’ perfect, finished work. We wear His righteousness, and because of this, we don’t have to fear punishment. Instead, the Father will reward us based on how we have lived for Him. (For more information on the judgment of believers, I found parts of this GotQuestions article helpful: click here.)

If you are not a believer, though, the harsh reality is that the judgment should scare you. There is coming a day when God will evaluate those who are not in Christ based on their deeds—and apart from Jesus, we all miss the mark! 

The solution to this terrifying truth is to turn to Jesus. “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him” (Hebrews 9:27–28). Yes, the day of judgment is coming, but with it is the return of Christ. Since He has offered Himself up to bear our sins, when He comes back, it is to save those who know Him. Jesus’ coming and judgment are a comfort, not a calamity, for the one who is in Christ. 

So please, if you are reading this and you feel afraid regarding these events, I implore you to trust in Jesus. He alone can save you. He alone can give you His right standing with God. He alone can carry you through the day of judgment safely and with confidence. He didn’t come to condemn the world, but to save it (John 3:17). If you are feeling overwhelmed by the weight of your sin and fearful of being held accountable for it, turn to Jesus; run to the Father, and He will give you the confidence and assurance we all long for. 

“If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.” Psalm 130:3–4