PERFECT LOVE

Wednesday, May 9    PERFECT LOVE
1 John 4: 16b-18

"God is love, and whoever lives in love lives in union with God and God lives in union with him.  Love is made perfect in us in order that we may have courage on the judgment Day; and we will have it because our life in this world is the same as Christ's.  There is no fear in love; perfect loves drives out all fear.  So then, love has not been made perfect in anyone who is afraid, because fear has to do with punishment. "  (TEV)
     The Greek word used here for perfect means "mature".  When we are little, we follow certain rules because we fear getting in trouble with our parents. Our limited maturity only allows for this.   Likewise, immature love comes because we don't want to disappoint God.  But as we grow older and wiser, we learn to obey because it is the right way to act.  Love follows the same progression to maturity...to perfect love.  Perfect love is a mature love - one with God that empowers us to love recklessly and fearlessly.  Perfect love is an action, a demonstration of God in us.  We love because God loves.  We love not to avoid God's anger, but because of God's love.
     I challenge myself today to look for opportunities to love....perfectly.