1 PETER 3 SUBMISSION OF WIVES TO THEIR HUSBANDS

August 8

1 PETER 3

Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct. 3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— 4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. 5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.  – 1 Peter 3:1-6

1 PETER 3 SUBMISSION OF WIVES TO THEIR HUSBANDS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

The sin of Eve caused women’s desire to control their husbands

God has called women to succumb to the authority given to them

Man was created by God first, so he is the one given the authority

Woman was made from the rib of man; she is to submit to her husband

A woman’s beauty lies in her inner good and her submission to God’s order

When a woman fails to submit, she’ll experience much chaos and disorder.

In this account, Peter admonishes the women to submit wholeheartedly to their husbands. There is a condition stipulated here in verse 1. It is interesting how the Lord commands women to obey their husbands even if they don’t obey the word. Does this mean that wives can just be ordered and controlled by ungodly husbands? Notice that the end of verse 1 and start of verse 2 says that the conduct of submission and being respectful despite their husband’s unbelief could potentially win them into conversion to faith in God. The command involves no word but conduct. The saying “Action speaks louder than words” could be applied in this case.

Why is it also required of women to focus on inner beauty than externals in verses 3-5? We serve a divine and spiritual God. We don’t worship an earthly and finite God but someone whom we don’t see but is infinite and divine. The beauty that is pleasing to God is the inner spirit that longs to please God. When we focus so much on our external beauty, we become shallow, worldly and materialistic. This hedonistic tendency doesn’t please God. It is a form of vanity and idolatry to focus only on the external looks. That would indicate the absence of spiritual growth and maturity. Verse 4 tells all women that the adornment that God requires of his people is gentleness and a quiet spirit. I struggle with these adornments that God requires. I am still in the process of being changed by the Holy Spirit with regards to having a calm and gentle spirit. Trauma has shaped my personality into a harsh and anxious person. But God’s grace is overflowing in my life and I am slowly recognizing all the sinfulness that I have made a habit of since I was a child where women rule the family.  I’m learning to submit to my husband and be less mistrusting and controlling now.

REFLECTION

  • What do you think of Christian women who strongly argue with husbands at home or in public?

1 CORINTHIANS 14 ORDERLY WORSHIP IS SUBMISSION TO GOD

August 7

1 CORINTHIANS 14

 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. 30 If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. 33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints, 34 the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. 35 If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.36 Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached? 37 If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. 38 If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. 39 So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But all things should be done decently and in order. – 1 Corinthians 14:29-40

1 CORINTHIANS 14 ORDERLY WORSHIP IS SUBMISSION TO GOD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When serving the Lord your God, you need to succumb to direction

God has a purpose when he designed all things in his creation

In his plan, there is always order and designation of tasks and duties

When you are under an authority, you ought to submit to them fully

To be insubordinate to your leaders would signify a form of defiance

Orderly worship is what God requires and expects from his children

So, do your role with a servant’s heart and love for your Lord

Do not create division and do not conform to the standards of the world.

There are so many churches today that do not have the orderly worship that God requires of his people. Our world is plagued by many false prophets, teachers, preachers who do not submit under the authority of the word of God. According to data compiled by the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Cornwell Theological Seminary, there are an estimated 45,000-47,000 Christian denominations globally and this number continues to grow as new independent and regional churches form. How many of these churches follow and submit to the authority of Scripture? How many Christians truly come under the command and instructions of the Lord? Is the Lord the focus of church service or is it their work to perform the best sermons and to entice many other people into their church? Sadly, there are only a few churches who truly apply the word of God. In the book of James, we are told that we need to do the word of God and not just hear it. I’ve had enough of my share of tasting these few false churches that claim to be Christian but do not have orderly worship that God requires. It is more focused on the preachers or the performers trying to sing songs that seemed to be about God but mostly about how they feel about God. The focus is on their “work” not on the requirements and direction of God. In true worship, God is the focus not the people as Paul stipulates in these following verses.

REFLECTION

  • How is having false worship a sign of defiance against the Lord?

ROMANS 13 TO RESIST AUTHORITY IS TO DEFY GOD

August 6

ROMANS 13

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

                                                                                        – Romans 13:1-7

ROMANS 13 TO RESIST AUTHORITY IS TO DEFY GOD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Where envy thrives, disobedience and conflicts follow

Those who live for their flesh eventually gets in trouble

Because there is obsession for power, they resist authority

They are jealous of those placed by God for them to submit to

They don’t understand that when they resist authorities

They are also defying God since he placed them to watch over them.

The world system has twisted the meaning of authority because many leaders, rulers and heads have corrupted their positions. They have used their roles to abuse their power over their subordinates which were supposed to be the people they needed to serve. Instead, they used such positions to cater to wealth accumulation or in controlling others. Because they do not know God, it would be impossible for them to understand that their positions were given to them so they could serve and take care of the flock or people assigned under their responsibility. They were supposed to be accountable for their leadership positions to meet their people’s needs and keep them safe under their rule or headship.

Paul emphasizes the importance of submitting to all governing authorities that were placed by God to each believer. God is sovereign, so he knows the flaws and strengths of each ruler, head or leader that he has placed over a certain people or nation. He appointed these authorities and chose them so, when we defy or disobey them, we are actually resisting and rebelling against God’s choice and decision. In verse 3, he explains that if we obey and do good, there is no reason for us to be afraid of these rulers because their responsibility is to punish those doing evil. In verse 4, they were cautioned to be warned if they do what is evil since they will be judged and punished for it.  Because they are servants of God, they will execute what is needed to keep the peace in their own territories.

REFLECTION

  • How have these verses changed your attitude towards authorities?

1 PETER 2 BE SUBJECT FOR THE LORD’S SAKE

August 5

1 PETER 2

13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperoras supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.

                                                                                        – 1 Peter 2:14-19

1 PETER 2 BE SUBJECT FOR THE LORD’S SAKE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Servants of the Lord Jesus Christ follow God’s will

They do not defy authorities placed over them

Allowing those people to lead you is honoring to God

He chose them to represent his own authority in this world

Be subject for the Lord’s sake and do not resist your leaders

God’s will for you is to respect and honor authorities given to you.

So many people who do not know God’s sovereignty have a hard time understanding how to obey the law or to be subjected under the authority of leaders and rulers. It is not uncommon to hear people complain and whine about their employers or anyone who has authority over them. You’ll also hear citizens who says things against their prime minister, king or president without truly understanding the authority that was given to them by God. I used to do this too when I was faced with corrupt government officials back in my country of origin. In fact, one of the reasons why I migrated to Canada was my disgust over the corruption of these leaders who probably do not also have an idea that their positions were not to be abused but to be used to serve the country and the people. They have no clue that God has placed them there for God’s own purpose. Not until I became a reformed Christian did I understand that when I say things against the authorities placed over me, I am doing it to God himself and questioning God’s sovereignty and choice of leaders.

In this account, Peter exhorts the believers about the importance of obedience to those whom God has placed over them. Notice that Peter didn’t say to be subject to authorities who are good to you. In fact, in verse 18, it says that we succumb to not only the good but the unjust masters. In other words, what God wants us to do is to honor everyone. Why? This is the perfect manifestation of the love that he wants for us to give one another: unconditional, accepting, enduring and sacrificial love. Peter lays down the reason why we need to do this as believers. It is for the sake of God. If we are servants of the Lord Jesus Christ, he is the top priority in our life. He is the one that we need to obey and please.

REFLECTION

·       Why should believers refrain from criticizing politicians and leaders of our nations?

HEBREWS 13 OBEY & SUBMIT TO YOUR LEADERS

August 4

HEBREWS 13

12 So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. 13 Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. 14 For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. 15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.18 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. 19 I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner.20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us[b] that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

                                                                         – Hebrews 13:12-21

HEBREWS 13 OBEY & SUBMIT TO YOUR LEADERS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As a covenant child of God, you are called to obey your leaders

Follow their lead as they are given to you by God himself

Respect and submit to the authority assigned to you

They are answerable to God as they keep watch over your souls

Do not be insubordinate to them for you will give an account if you do

Honor, respect and serve them as you would do unto the Lord.

Obedience and submission are manifestations of love and service to God. This is why we were given laws by God as part of his covenant with us. Laws and authorities are the ways by which God shows his protection over us and also a test for us to exercise obedience and submission. It is a structure for us to follow so that we can maintain order in the body of Christ. Without leaders and authorities, our lives would be chaotic and disorderly.

Paul stipulates a command that reiterates these verses here as he wrote his letter to the church in Ephesus. In Ephesians 6:5-7, we are told that: “Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when they are watching, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people.” So, when we defy those authorities given to us like parents, husbands, elders, employers and other people whom we need to submit to, we are actually rebelling against God himself. Paul gives another reason why believers need to submit to authorities in Romans 13:1-2 because it is God himself who has established such leaders in our lives.

REFLECTION

  • Should we obey leaders even if we don’t agree with their viewpoints? Why or why not?

ROMANS 8 THE WICKED DO NOT SUBMIT TO GOD

August 3

ROMANS 8

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. – Romans 8:1-10

ROMANS 8 THE WICKED DO NOT SUBMIT TO GOD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Those who don’t know and acknowledge God are hostile to him

They do not live according to God’s Spirit but to their own flesh

Their lives are based on worldly and physical standards

They are self-focused and eager to cater to their selfish desires

These wicked people do not submit and cannot please God

Their minds are set on seeking their longings and wants

They are not answerable to anyone but themselves

So, they don’t come under God’s authority at all.

In this account, Paul lays down the difference between a wicked person from a righteous one. The main difference is that those who belong to God submit to him and the Holy Spirit while the unrighteous one does not come under anyone else’s authority. They love and adore themselves too much to be accountable to someone other than themselves. Because they have so much love for the things of the world, they will not be able to hear the Spirit of the Lord. Only the Holy Spirit is given to those who have been chosen by God himself to be followers of Christ. What a lot of people do not understand about being a Christian is that it is never their own choice to believe but God himself did the selection process. When he elected someone to be his own, he gave them his Spirit and the ability to say yes to the path of righteousness. It is the sacrifice of Christ that gave the chosen one of God the gift of hearing the Holy Spirit and the choice to walk in love.

The wicked are described as someone who does not acknowledge God therefore, they cannot follow his laws. They don’t belong to the covenant that God made with Abraham. They won’t be covered by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ and will not be able to please God in any circumstance.

REFLECTION

·       Can someone ungodly please God at all? Why or why not?

EPHESIANS 5 SUBMIT TO ONE ANOTHER

August 2

EPHESIANS 5

18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. 28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body. 

                                                                                           – Ephesians 5:18-30

EPHESIANS 5 SUBMIT TO ONE ANOTHER

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As a child of God, we ought to revere our Lord Jesus Christ

We therefore submit to one another to show our obedience

Because we are part of his church, we are members of his body

Failing to honor and respect each other is a lack of love for our brothers

Husbands are called to take authority over their wives and are to love them

Wives are to respect and submit to their husbands in everything

Submitting to one another in love is the only way we show God our love

In submission to one another, we become united in the body of Christ.

Why did Paul stress the importance of submission to one another in this letter to the Ephesians? He wanted the believers to be set apart from the world. As we live in this corrupt world, our desire is to satisfy ourselves and do as we please. Paul reminds every believer that this is not how God’s law of love is based on. God’s law is based on sacrificial love. When we do not become accountable for each other, we are not exercising sacrificial love because we do not place others as a priority. Of course, God must be the ultimate priority in our lives but the concept of submission follows the command of God to love him first and then our neighbors as ourselves. Notice that it didn’t say love God and then yourself and then others. Because of our sinful nature, we tend to make ourselves first than our neighbors. Thus, God commands his people to think of others first rather than their own. If every believer followed this command, there will be no quarrels or envy among the body of Christ, there will be unity and harmony and the law of love will be complete. Then we will be free from the bondage of sin. This is why James talks about the importance of following all of the laws of liberty because if you miss one out, you are disobeying the rest.

REFLECTION

·       Why did God command us to submit to one another as if we are actually submitting to him?

JAMES 4 SUBMIT TO GOD

August 1

JAMES 4

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passionsare at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore, it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.     – James 4:1-10

JAMES 4 SUBMIT TO GOD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you submit to God, you will experience peace

No amount of work and doing matter if you do not submit to Him

Satan will overpower you if you don’t succumb to God’s authority

By obedience, you will have the ability to succeed and have victory

When your passion for something is too much, you’ll cause quarrels

It is the longing for what you don’t have that creates conflicts

Submit to God and you will have power over evil

Draw near to him and you can resist the devil.

The word “submit” has been misunderstood and the world has twisted its meaning. Today, that word connotes bondage and slavery instead of freedom. Many people think that to submit to someone is to be dominated by that person. That definition is a half truth because what it doesn’t include is the fact that if you submit to the righteous God who made you, you will have peace that surpasses all understanding. When we acknowledge God’s authority and submit to it, we are honoring and praising him, but if we submit to a human being who is flawed and sinful, chances are, we will be in bondage to that person’s whims and control. Because human beings are not like the divine God, they will have the tendency to abuse power. God’s sovereignty is never abusive nor is it unfair, but humans have a tendency to abuse power because our nature is very corrupt.

James explains the advantages of submission to God. He says that God gives grace to them and also keeps the devil away from us. He also mentions that we will be purified and joy will result from such obedience and honor that we give to the Lord. What is amazing about such submission is that God himself will exalt the one who obeys and surrenders everything to him.

REFLECTION

·       Share insights as to how you have submitted to God. What have you benefited from?

PROVERBS 30 HUMBLE YOURSELF & TRUST GOD

July 31

PROVERBS 30

The man declares, I am weary, O God; I am weary, O God, and worn out.
2 Surely, I am too stupid to be a man. I have not the understanding of a man.
3 I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One.
4 Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his fists?
  Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth?
  What is his name, and what is his son’s name? Surely you know!

5 Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
6 Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.

                                                                         – Proverbs 30:1-6

PROVERBS 30 HUMBLE YOURSELF & TRUST GOD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As a servant of Jesus Christ, you are to be humble

He gave up his divinity for you and became human

Why would you boast and presume you know everything

Meditate on God’s word & you’ll discern the devil’s schemes

But if you ignore the word of God, you will continue to rebel

Humble yourself and trust God and so you will overcome the devil.

In this account, Solomon humbles himself and strips off all of his presumptions of knowing things. When he became king, he requested for wisdom from God instead of riches and yet God gave him both of it. It is quite interesting to know that the wisest person on earth became foolish later on in life when he yoked with 700 pagan wives and 300 concubines totalling to a thousand women all serving his sexual pleasure. That doesn’t look wise, does it? In fact, it is foolish to have more than one wife. It is hard enough to please one wife, why would you want a thousand?

In these following verses, you hear Solomon’s weariness. This must have been written towards his later years. Who wouldn’t be tired after all the quest for satisfaction from sexual pleasures? You hear his weariness and eventually acceptance of his foolish seeking of worldly things such as wealth, palaces, chariots and he even built a bigger temple for himself than he did built God’s temple. Something went wrong after he yoked with the pagan wives. He forgot to consult God and instead, relied on all the gifts that were given to him by the Lord. He didn’t use it for God’s glory but for himself. In verse 3, he declares that he has not learned wisdom and has forgotten who God was. Isn’t this also true for each believer?

When we yoke with earthly things, we don’t get a clear vision and image of the God who created us. We also get in bondage with all these worldly longings and become consumed by them. No wonder many addicting acts result in the absence of knowing the Lord. God didn’t create us for pleasure-seeking for ourselves but for us to give him all the glory. So, let’s humble ourselves and trust him. Acknowledge God.

REFLECTION

·       What happens when we make ourselves increase rather than God?

1 JOHN 4 TRUST GOD AND ABIDE IN HIM

July 30

1 JOHN 4

13 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 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 cannotlove God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother. – 1 John 4:13-21

1 JOHN 4 TRUST GOD AND ABIDE IN HIM

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As you serve the Lord your God, fear not

For you will have his Spirit living in you

So, trust that you are truly loved

For his Spirit guides every step you take

Abide in him and his love will flow from you

You’ll be able to show others that same love.

In this account, God reveals through John how to walk in love. To abide in the bible means to stay close, to remain or to continue to be with God. It is to walk closely with God. It is to stay faithful and unrelenting to anything that will draw the person away from God. In Genesis 5:22-24, it says that Enoch walked with God. In other words, he abided with God. So, he was taken straight to God without going through death. Noah also walked with God as Genesis 6:9 mentions. They were blessed with protection from God as they clung and walked with the Lord. In John 15:5, we are told that if we cling to the vine, who is the Lord, the branches who are his people, will bear much fruit. This verse also reminds us that apart from God, we can do nothing. So, why do so many people live isolated from God?

If we stay close to God, we will experience perfect peace and contentment. It is something that we can never experience if we live following the world system. God is love and if we are not living our lives for him, we will never know love. We will always be living in the fear of something like fear of not having enough, fear of pain, fear of missing out, fear of being unloved or fear of not being enough for anyone to love us. In verse 18, the Lord reveals to us that the only thing that can take away our fears is to abide in him and trust him. It only makes sense because he is the only One who is perfect. If we are in Him, we will be perfected in love. There is no more reason to fear. But verse 19 reminds us all believers that we are only able to love because he first loved us. It is a gift. On our own, we cannot truly love.

REFLECTION

  • How can we manifest our trust in the Lord in our daily lives as believers?