Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.Do you want to be free from fear? Then get into perfect (mature) love. If you have fear, there is something in your life in the area of love that needs to be examined.
Now, the word translated love in these verses is the Greek word, agape. That word always means the "God-kind" of love, the kind of love that gives without expecting anything in return.
How do we show this kind of love to God? In 1 John 5:3, the God-kind of love is spelled out for all Christians to see. "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous" (1 John 5:3).
Do you want to be perfected, or mature, in the love of God?
The way to do this is simple: Keep His commandments. Jesus told His disciples the same thing. If they truly loved Him, they would keep His commandments. The word keep in John 14:15 simply means "to do," or "to perform."
Obedience is Key
We have now seen that the key to casting out fear is to be mature and complete in love, and that love is based on obedience. It is not based on how you feel, but on what you do. Obedience is the only standard of measure of your love for God.
If you love Him, keep His commandments. Grow mature in that kind of love, and fear will not come within "a country mile" of you.
Why is obedience such a powerful force? Perhaps Jesus said it best in John 15:14: "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." Friend is a covenant word. When those in covenant with one another in ancient times called one another, "Friend," that meant they were acknowledging responsibilities toward one another.
Jesus was saying, "I will call you Friend and Covenant Partner, if you will obey My commandments." This explains how "perfect love" (obeying God's commandments) can cast out all fear. Fear cannot enter your heart because your obedience to God firms up your covenant with Jesus.
Obedience energizes your heart with faith. Obedience causes you to do the very things Satan fears you will do things, such as spending time with God, studying the Word, and learning the Word at church.
If you wake up not feeling well on Sunday morning, and the devil, or your flesh, says, "You better just stay home," then that is the time to get to church at all costs. Go just because the devil did not want you to go.
Do not let anything stop you from going to church. Why is that so important? God's Word says not to forsake the assembling together of ourselves (Heb. 10:25). I have learned over the years to be the most aggressive in my obedience in the areas where my flesh and the devil are most reluctant.
Whatever commandment of God the devil is trying to convince you not to do, get aggressive in obeying that one. That is the area that is holding you back in spiritual growth.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Creflo Dollar is a founder and senior pastor of World Changers Church International (WCCI). He's a world-renowned Bible teacher, sought-after conference speaker, and bestselling author with hundreds of books, CDs, and DVDs in distribution worldwide. Recognized for his cutting-edge revelation and humorous, pragmatic approach, he enables thousands to experience grace, restoration, healing, and financial breakthrough by applying simple, biblical principles to their lives. He is the author of such game-changing books as "The Radical Life of Grace" and "Why I Hate Religion", and his award-winning Changing Your World television broadcast reaches nearly 1 billion homes. His ministry includes an app available on mobile devices and smart TV's, a dedicated YouTube channel, and the Changing Your World Network, a 24-hour online channel. A thriving social media presence has allowed him to connect with World Changers worldwide.
