Such a Thing As Perfect Love?
“There’s no such thing as perfect.” In our world, we hear this all the time. There’s no such thing as a perfect job, a perfect house, a perfect family, a perfect marriage — and when it comes to something as magnificent yet complex as love, there’s certainly no such thing as a perfect love…right?
In this world, perfection is, of course, absolutely unattainable. But I’ll admit that even though I’m aware of this truth, I’m a person who still tends to strive for perfectionism, the result of which is inevitably disappointment — disappointment in myself and those around me. And when you go through life expecting perfection, there’s perhaps no greater opportunity for disappointment than in the area of love.
But while perfect love cannot be found in this world, there IS a perfect love that does exist, that never disappoints.
“God IS love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them…there is no fear in love, but PERFECT LOVE drives out fear…” (1 John 4:16, 18 NIV)
The Amplified translation also refers to “perfect love” as “complete” and “full-grown”. The Message calls such love “well-formed.” Isn’t this the kind of love we all long for? The words that wrecked me the most while reading this passage were, “There is no fear in love” — no fear of death, no fear of punishment. NO fear.
When it comes to relationships here on earth, how often do we fear? I’ll get a little personal here. When it comes to dating, I fear emotional and physical abandonment. When it comes to friendships, I fear I’ll become a burden. When it comes to family, I fear conflict and the disruption of peace. All these fears often come to the surface in the form of unhealthy habits and behaviors that I’m continuously working on (as one of my good friends says, we need Jesus AND therapy). So why do I share this? Because I know I’m not the only one who’s experienced these cycles of fear as they relate to love. And I know I’m not the only one who’s glad there’s a better way.
Here’s the truth:
When it comes to God’s perfect love, we don’t have to fear abandonment. His Word proclaims, “NOTHING can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow — not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.” (Romans 8:38 NLT)
When it comes to God’s perfect love, we don’t have to fear being a burden. In fact, Jesus beckons us to come to Him, just as we are, emotions and all. “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest…I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28–29 NLT)
When it comes to God’s perfect love, we don’t have to fear fear itself. Before going to the cross, Jesus told His disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27 NIV)
So here’s the question I’m asking myself today that maybe you want to ask yourself too: are you truly walking in and receiving God’s perfect love? Have you truly accepted that God’s perfect love is for you, or are you walking in unbelief and fear?
Valentine’s Day brings to mind thoughts about love, but let us keep this truth in our hearts every day. 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, LOVE, and self-discipline.” Friends, let us be grateful that we don’t have to live in fear; let us be grateful that we serve a God who IS love, whose love casts out fear, who loves us so much that He sent us His one and only Son, and who calls us to love each other — not the world’s way, but in the way He loves us. And when others disappoint us, or when we fail to love others well — because we inevitably will — let us keep coming back to Him in gratitude for HIS perfect love.
Happy Valentine’s Day friends,
Jackie
