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
When we love with grace, we understand the gift of God’s perfect love.
Sometimes we speak thoughts that should remain unspoken, and sometimes we react with judgment, instead of understanding. However, sometimes we respond to the same situations with kindness and forgiveness. Why? We were born as sinners into a sinful world. But the death of Christ was the sacrifice needed to free sinners from a sinful world.
Christ’s death and resurrection allow us to have a relationship with Him. It is a relationship that convicts us when we are wrong and humbles us when we realize how much He loves us. In return, all He asks is that we love one another.
When we look at our moral failings, we are humbled by the unconditional love of God. When we speak and react without grace to others, we are still loved by Christ and receive His grace. But when we love with grace, we understand the gift of His perfect love. And now we know we can love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19).
