A Nugget from New Life Network
(by Dr. Larry Ollison)
Scripture for the Day (June 13, 2018)
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear, because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. (1 John 4:18)
As we near the return of Jesus, one thing becomes increasingly clear. The prophecies of the Bible are being fulfilled at an accelerated rate. For centuries, theologians have spoken of the time to come, but the time to come is now here. We are in the time of the Glorious Church.
God loves you and Satan hates what God loves. Our Savior will return and when He does, He is returning for a church that is walking in the anointing and power. The enemy is doing everything he can do to destroy the church. If you are born again, you are the church.
So how can we walk in victory? How can we live lives that are surrounded with turmoil yet still at peace? Second Corinthians 10:3-4 says, “Though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal [fleshly] but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.” The attacks are coming and what you do is important. It will decide your destiny.
Jesus gave us one command that was above every command and that commandment was to love each other. The Bible has much to say about that. We are told in 1 John 3:14-15 that the way we will know that we have passed from death unto life is that we will have love for the brethren. Then it goes on to say that he who does not love his brother abides in death.
It’s interesting that in 1 John 4:7-8, it says that we should love one another because love is of God and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Then it continues, saying that anyone who does not love does not know God, because God himself is love.
First John 4:20 tells us that if someone says they love God, but actually they hate their brother (or sister) in Christ, that person is a liar. Then it asks how can someone not love their brother that they see every day and claim to love God, whom they have never seen?
We are in the last days when the Spirit of God is moving in a greater measure. However, we cannot move in the Spirit of God if we do not walk in the love of God. God has not given us a spirit of fear, but He has given us the spirit of love, power, and a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7.)
God is not moving through casual Christians. He is moving through obedient, dedicated believers who abide in His Word, know the truth, and walk in love. When we walk in perfect love — love that is complete (or mature), or that is allowed to exert its proper influence on the soul — 1 John 4:18 says that there will be no fear because perfect love casts out fear. Fear involves torment and anyone who fears and walks in torment has not been made perfect in love. According to that scripture, keeping your love walk perfect is the highest priority a Christian has in life. You will never be satisfied, complete, or at peace unless you are walking in perfect love. The cares and irritations of the world will fall away and perfect peace will be yours when you walk in perfect love.
Second Corinthians 2:11 tells us that if we are ignorant of the devil’s devices, he can take advantage of us. His greatest weapons against the church are offense and division, backbiting and gossip, hatred and strife. But how can we keep all of these things out of the church so the church can be the Glorious Church? The answer is quite simple. Walk in the perfect love of God and then, as the Word says in 1 Peter 4:8, love will cover a multitude of sins.
Of course, there are times when you may feel that it’s impossible to forgive and walk away from hurt and strife. But that is a lie of the enemy. The truth is this. You have been empowered with God’s grace (His power and ability) so that you can do everything He commands you to do.
So, the next time you hear the voice of the enemy trying to drag you into a non-loving situation, know who you are. Submit to God, rebuke the enemy and walk away. Remember, you are the Glorious Church.
