There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love. 1 John 4:18 MSG

Let’s start by asking, “What does this verse NOT mean?”

It does NOT mean we use this one line in the Bible to insult our Christian neighbors, friends, and family when they express concern about Covid-19 at a different level than we do. It does NOT mean we take these verses out of context and weaponize them against fellow Christians who feel differently than we do on current events. It does NOT mean we judge others because they are anti- or pro- mask or vaccination. It does NOT mean we abandon all wisdom and counsel from leaders in both spiritual and scientific communities in the name of, “Stop living your life in fear! Don’t you trust God?”  The repetition of the Christian community to “Fear not!” is akin to saying, “We don’t care much about you and what you’re experiencing/feeling,” and it’s been used by proponents on all sides of recent events as a way to avoid loving our neighbors.

What DOES this verse mean?

We adopted our dog from a rescue group, and thankfully she was taken in before finding herself in an abusive or transient situation. Many pups aren’t so lucky, and when they (hopefully!) make their way to new homes, they may cower in fear. They may live each day not knowing where their next meal will come from or if they’ll have to defend it from another animal. They’re unsure of new surroundings and leery of new comforts, and it’s only after they’ve accepted a kind and loving owner that you may find them napping belly up by the fire. They don’t relax until they feel secure. 

The second we accept His perfect love it covers all of our sins and transforms us from the inside out, but just as the lucky rescued pups out there it takes time for us to make ourselves at home with love...and having love make its home in us. With Christ residing within there is no fear of facing death and judgement day, because His sacrifice has paid the price for our eternity. We are rescued, and our present and future are secure in Him. When love is well-formed within us, we can demonstrate the same love to those around us!

Friend, are you weaponizing this or other verses in the Bible to shame fellow Christians for their choices in dealing with an unprecedented global pandemic? Are you living your life in unnecessary fear? Are you harboring judgemental feelings against those who feel differently than you do on current events? Ask God to show you how you can take a step to let Love in today!