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 4:18

When I first read this, I thought that love conquers fear, which is true, but there is a greater message to this. First of all we are called to fear God. Fear of God only comes when we're being disobedient. As it says in John 14:21 and 1 John 5:3a; if we love God we will obey his commands as a display for our love for him. It is true that we are made perfect through the gospel, but that also does not give us a freebie to do whatever we'd like. When our love is perfect then we will obey God completely. That obedience will cause us not to fear God when judgement comes, but to be secure in him. 

I don't know how this really applies to me since I don't even fear God. This passage just reminds me that we are no longer bound to the law, but freed in Christ. I feel gratitude that Christ accepts us as sinners and no matter the cause we will always be secured and saved through him. He is our justification when we cannot be sanctified. The spirit is telling me that I need to develop a perfect love, so that I won't have any fear of failure whatsoever. 

Jesus, thank you for driving out the fear and showing us perfect love. Help me Holy Spirit to develop this Christ like love that has no fear of failure, but freedom to serve without repercussions. I know I will fail in the future, but you Christ sanctify me. Thank you for your grace

In Jesus Name Amen.