1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” We know that Jesus has perfect love. He said greater love has no man than this that a man lay down his life for His friends (John 15:13).
I remember before I became born again, I envisioned God as judgmental and aloof. I did not feel that God loved me. Even though He loves sinners and saints alike. I knew that I was a sinner, I had all the proof evidenced in my life. I thought that God would not have anything to do with me because I had failed in so many areas in my life. I never doubted that God existed, I just felt that there was no way He would have anything to do with me, except to judge me.
I must have heard the gospel many times, but it never really resonated with me. I was still seeking a way back to God. The God of my childhood. The days of my innocence when I prayed with confidence and believed that He heard me. I had always had a measure of faith. I recall failing a college philosophy class because the teacher taught that there was no God. When I did my final paper, I wrote that I did not believe in his theories and added my own, that I felt proved the existence of God.
He kept my paper at the bottom of the pile when he handed them back, because he wanted to see who wrote it. He said he could poke holes in my theory and gave me a failing grade. I never took the class again. The bible tells us that it is the fool who says in his heart that there is no God. I was being educated by a fool.
The love that God has for us is unconditional. It is not something that has to be earned. It is by grace that we are saved through faith and not of ourselves it is the gift of God, not of works least any man should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). When we come to the full realization of how much God loves us and that He has our best interests at heart, it casts out fear. God is Love. He is the source of love. The source of perfect love. Whenever the devil tries to tell me that God does not love me, I think of Jesus dying on the cross in order to bring about the salvation of my soul. If He did not love me, He would have spared Himself the shame and suffering of the cross. Today, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. We are cloaked in the righteousness of Christ and when the Father looks at us, He sees the righteousness of Christ.
Be confident knowing that you are loved and cherished by God who has all power and is willing to use that power on your behalf.