“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 (NIV)
Have you ever felt your heart race at the thought of sharing your faith? Perhaps your palms get sweaty, or your mind goes blank when an opportunity to speak about Jesus arises. If so, you’re not alone. Fear in evangelism is a common experience, but it’s one that God’s Word addresses head-on.
In 1 John 4:18, we encounter a powerful truth: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear.” This verse isn’t just a comforting platitude; it’s a spiritual reality that can transform our approach to sharing the gospel.
The Greek word used for “drives out” is “ekballei,” which means to cast out or expel. It’s the same word used to describe Jesus casting out demons. This gives us a picture of love as an active, powerful force that doesn’t merely suppress fear but completely expels it.
But what is this “perfect love” John speaks of? It’s not our love, which is often imperfect and inconsistent. It’s God’s love – complete, unconditional, and unwavering. This love was demonstrated most profoundly at the cross, where Jesus laid down His life for us.
Oswald Chambers, the early 20th-century Scottish Baptist evangelist and teacher, once said, “The remarkable thing about God is that when you fear God, you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God, you fear everything else.” When we truly grasp God’s perfect love for us, it changes our perspective on evangelism.
Consider this: What are we really afraid of when it comes to sharing our faith? Rejection? Ridicule? Being seen as foolish? At the root of these fears is often a concern about what others think of us. But when we’re secure in God’s love, the opinions of others lose their power over us.
Moreover, understanding God’s love for us fuels our love for others. When we truly grasp how much God loves every person – including those we’re hesitant to approach – it compels us to share the good news. As the 19th-century preacher Charles Spurgeon put it, “If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and unprayed for.”
This doesn’t mean we won’t feel nervous or uncomfortable at times. But it does mean that God’s love can empower us to push through those feelings. Each time we step out in faith, trusting in God’s love, our confidence grows.
Remember, too, that the same perfect love that casts out our fear is the love we’re sharing with others. The gospel isn’t a message of condemnation, but of God’s incredible love and grace. When we approach evangelism from this perspective, it becomes less about our performance and more about introducing others to the God who loves them perfectly.
Godseekers, I challenge you to meditate on God’s perfect love for you. Let it sink deep into your soul. Allow it to cast out the fear that holds you back from sharing your faith. Remember that you’re not called to convert anyone – that’s God’s job. You’re simply invited to share the love that’s been so freely given to you.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your perfect love that casts out fear. Help us to grasp the depth and breadth of Your love for us and for those around us. When fear creeps in as we consider sharing our faith, remind us of Your love. Empower us by Your Spirit to step out in boldness, knowing that You are with us. May Your love flow through us to touch the lives of others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Personal Reflection
- How has fear of others’ opinions or reactions held you back from sharing your faith in the past?
- In what ways can meditating on God’s perfect love for you change your approach to evangelism?
Step of Faith
This week, when you feel fear rising at the thought of sharing your faith, pause and remind yourself of God’s perfect love for you and for the person you’re considering approaching. Write down three specific ways God has demonstrated His love to you. Then, ask God for an opportunity to share His love with someone else. When the opportunity comes, take a deep breath, remember God’s love, and step out in faith. Afterward, reflect on how focusing on God’s love impacted your experience.
