Hate is not the opposite of Love.
Many people think that hate is the opposite of love.
In the world yes, you would often hear that hate is the opposite of love, and that ‘love drives out hate’.
However, in the Kingdom of God, it is fear that is the opposite of love.
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
Fear envelopes you and stops you from doing anything, especially God’s work. If we are to be more like Jesus, we have to realize that Jesus did not once walk in fear. Rather He would always command people “Do not fear”, “Do not be afraid.”, “Fear thou not!” This phrase is actually the most stated commandment in the Bible. Why? I believe that God in His infinite wisdom knew we would need to hear it that many times.
Do you know what the greatest commandment is?
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.” Matthew 22:37
The greatest commandment to love will cast out the very thing God tells His people to get rid of.
You can only know God if you love, and you can only love God because He first loved you. (1 John 4:8).
When fear rises up, God says I am there. Knowledge of God’s presence will shift your focus from seeing with your natural eyes, to seeing with your spiritual eyes.
When the disciples were in the boat that was tossing to and fro in the sea, Jesus said in Matthew 14 the comforting and eye-opening phrase:
“Take courage! I am! Fear not!”
When Jesus says “I Am” I am remembered of Exodus 3:14
God said to Moses, “I Am Who I Am”; and He said, “You shall say this to the Israelites, ‘I Am has sent me to you.’”
Exodus 3:14
“Jesus’ call for courage and his command not to be afraid are both rooted in the second thing he said: “I am!”
When Jesus says “I Am” He is confirming His Oneness with the Father. Jesus confirms Himself as God Almighty, who is standing there ready to be their helper. He is saying He is everything you would ever need, which is more than enough of a reason to not fear anything.
Living a fearless life is living a life rooted and grounded in God’s love. And it is possible.
One time I was driving and a car in front of me had a huge sticker on the back of his car that said “Fearless”. I scoffed and thought how?
Imagine. Scoffing at the very way of life that God has called you to. Imagine not understanding that fear of any kind has no home in you.
You do not have to imagine what being fearless would be like, you can experience it today because God’s love is everlasting and is here to stay.
One of the verses that brings me through is Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
Why shouldn’t you fear? Because God is with you. Who is God? God is LOVE (1 John 4:16! Love is with you. His love protects, provides, shields, carries, and keeps you.
We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in His love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.
1 John 4:16
It was His love, His mercy, and His goodness that brought every single one of us from death to life through the death of His Son, This Love from God will break you out of any fear. God said if He sent His one and only Son, what more would He give if we ask! Understanding this love will perfect you and will remove every bit of fear from your life.
Walk perfected in His love! Fear causes you to be stagnant, it can cause you to not even see tomorrow. But walking in His love will cause you to move when you cannot see the path because you Know that He will lead us on paths of Righteousness for His name’s sake. What is His name? LOVE! GOD IS LOVE!
My Prayer is that we will all with strong conviction be like David and say:
The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1
joy-full 