In this is love brought to perfection among us, that we have confidence on the day of judgment because as he is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love. 19 We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 This is the commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.
Love transforms believers who abide in love for God and others. By living out this love, believers experience the fullness of the Christian life. Through union with Christ, believers share in his righteousness and holiness, which enables them to approach the day of judgment with confidence. Fear is often associated with punishment, but when believers experience perfect love, it dispels fear because they trust in God's love and mercy. Those who still harbor fear have not yet embraced the fullness of God's love. God first loved us and His love is the source of our love. Claiming to love God while harboring hatred toward others is hypocritical because there is an inseparable connection between love for God and love for others. It is the tangible expression of love for fellow human beings that demonstrates love for God. Genuine love for God demands that we love our neighbor.
Almighty God, the transformative power of your love fills us with confidence as we place our hope in the day of judgment. Grant us the grace to abide in your love and to love others as you have loved us. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
__________________________________
References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
Comments