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The Daily Word of Righteousness
Prepare the Way of the Lord!, #5
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. 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. (I John 4:16-18—NIV)
The above is not speaking of human love, of our attempts to love one another, although such efforts often are worthy. Rather the reference is to Divine love, the love of God in Christ in us. It indeed is a powerful force that fulfills all Paul claims for it in First Corinthians. Paul maintains that such love is perfection, and when it comes to us, tongues and other manifestations will pass away, being no longer necessary.
We are not there yet. We need all the ministries and gifts of the Body of Christ if Christ is to come to maturity in His Body. But we can look forward to the coming of perfect love so as Christ is, we also shall be.
I would submit to you that the coming to abide in us of the Father and the Son, mentioned in the fourteenth chapter of John, is pretty much the same as the coming of perfect love to us. I can't see any significant difference in the Scriptures.
What does Paul add to his prayer for us?
And to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:19—NIV)
Think of it! "Filled to the measure of all the fullness of God"! All the fullness of God!
How would you like to be filled with all the fullness of God?
You shall be if you permit the Holy Spirit to have His way with you.
The Spirit will convict you until you come out of the ways of the world and begin to think, act, and look like a Christian. If you do not know how a Christian should think, act, and look, ask an unsaved person. A believer is liable to talk to you about how you should not concern yourself because you are saved by grace, and you do not need to hear this.
The Spirit will convict you concerning all the passions and lusts of your flesh. Worldliness and lusts are easy to get rid of once you make up your mind you want to be delivered. The Spirit has ample power.
How much power is being exercised toward you when you declare that you want no more worldliness or fleshly sins in your life?
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, (Ephesians 3:20—NIV)
Does that answer the question?
But now we come to the real problem—self-will. Are you willing to let go of your grasp on your idols, the idols that to you are not clearly sinful, just part of your personality?
To be continued.