Lesson 58: Living Without Fear of Punishment by God When We Die (Knowing We Are At Peace With God Though Imperfect)
From 1 John – “Dear children let us not love with words or tongue but in deed and truth. By this we will know that we are children of the truth, and quiet our hearts in the presence of God whenever our hearts condemn us.”
An over sensitive conscience can be quieted by the knowledge that God Himself has declared active love to be an evidence of salvation. He knows the hearts of everyone, whether in spite of shortcomings they have been born of Him. Anyone who believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God lives in God and God in him, and we know and rely on His love. God is love and anyone who lives by love lives in God and God in him. In this way love is made complete among us so we can have confidence on the day of judgment, because we are like Him (Jesus) in love. There is no fear in love and perfect love eliminates fear because fear has to do with punishment. In those who fear, love has not been made perfect. Anyone who confesses that Jesus is the Christ is born of God. The love by which we love God and others is made complete by our obedience to God’s commands. This should not be burdensome because we have the help of the Holy Spirit that lives in us. Anyone born of God has overcome the world (its sinful pattern) by obedience to God’s commands. Faith gives the victory that overcomes a worldly life (living in a pattern or lifestyle of sin). The first victory is turning from the world to God; the second, is a life of daily Christian living.