Fearlessness. I’ve been mulling over what it looks like. I figured finding out the opposite of fear would give me a clue. 1 John 4:18 says that, “Perfect love drives out fear [and that] one who fears has not been made perfect in love”.

I believe that an aspect of this is: if I am perfected by the transforming power of God’s perfect love, I will be free from fear, and consequently, free to truly love and truly live, because I am not being held back by fear.

So love = fearlessness = the abundant life that Jesus came to give us (John 10:10). Ahhh…

1 John 4:17 says, “Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world”. As usual God’s perspective astounds me: I love that true love makes us bold. What a concept! And this boldness that comes from having been perfected in love is equated with being like Jesus. So what is He like?

He heals the sick, raises the dead, remains silent when falsely accused, cares less about His reputation, hangs out with the ‘wrong crowd’, allows Himself to look like a failure by submitting to insults, beatings and even to dying a horrific and shameful death for the sake of love and obedience to His Father.

Now I get why love is akin to fearlessness…

More thoughts on fearlessness ~ here is 1 Corinthians 13 with fearlessness inserted in place of love:

Fearlessness is patient, fearlessness is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Fearlessness does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Thank-You Father for the daily opportunities to practice being fearless, in honor of Your perfect love.