From the Pastor’s Desk

Sunday, December 6, 2020

There are two awesome mercies embedded in Luke 1; First, a Redeemer would come that would save us from our enemies (1:68). Second, the Savior would enable us to serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness all the days of our life. “To grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life” (1:74-75). These promises were fulfilled in Jesus’ victory at the cross where the Lord defeated all the powers of darkness, putting His foot on Satan’s head and crushing it.

Jesus made provision for us to live all our days without fear. “Perfect love casts our fear … But he who fears has not been made perfect in love” (1st John 4:18). John is not talking about unwavering love or even mature love in a Christian. According to John, the first consideration of perfect love is unconditional love for our brothers and sisters in Christ. “If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us” (1st John 4:12).

If you are interested in living a life without fear, John says, here is a way to get there. “This is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment” (1st John 4:23).

Loving others is more than forgiveness. It means to offer fellowship, esteem others highly and make ourselves available to them in their time of need. According to John, when our love is aligned with God’s Word, only then will we live without fear.

You are loved, Pastor Don