Being Perfected

1 John 4:15-17

Amplified Bible (AMP)

¹⁵ Anyone who confesses (acknowledges, owns) that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides (lives, makes His home) in him and he [abides, lives, makes his home] in God.

¹⁶ And we know (understand, recognize, are conscious of, by observation and by experience) and believe (adhere to and put faith in and rely on) the love God cherishes for us. God is love, and he who dwells and continues in love dwells and continues in God, and God dwells and continues in him.

¹⁷ In this [union and communion with Him] love is brought to completion and attains perfection with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment [with assurance and boldness to face Him], because as He is, so are we in this world.

Some key words here and “we know by observation (scripture) and by experience and believe the love God cherishes for us.”

We are to dwell in His Love, by that we are perfected.  When we live in His Love, then we are perfected.  Many of us are focused on our love for him, that is not stable.  Instead, we need to know His Love for us.  Here’s two earthly examples a baby constantly clings to his parents for love, if the baby is set in a crib, they will cry for more attention.  This is exactly how we are to be. A child nurtured with affection, one that knows he’s loved, grows up maturely and confident. Christians that constantly seek The Fathers’, Son and Holy Spirits’ affection, likewise grows into maturity.

Matthew 18:3

21st Century King James Version (KJ21)

³ and said, “Verily I say unto you, unless ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

What does a child do? They seek the affection of their parents. Especially in the infant stage. They are also humble, meek but most importantly, able to receive love from their parents. In turn, a Christian established in The Love of the Father on a personal level works from the Love of the Father.

Jesus Lived in His Fathers’ Love for Him.  This is where His strength came from, a confidence in His Fathers’ Love for Him. 

1.  Matthew 3:17

And lo, a voice came from Heaven, saying, “This Is My Beloved Son, In Whom I Am Well Pleased.”

2.  Matthew 12:18

“Behold My Servant whom I have chosen, My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased: I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He shall show judgment to the Gentiles.

3.  Matthew 17:5

While he yet spoke, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. And behold, a voice out of the cloud, said, “This Is My Beloved Son In Whom I Am Well Pleased. Hear Ye Him!”

This wasn’t just for those around Jesus, it was for Jesus’ benefit as well. In each instance Jesus was about to face a huge experience. In the garden Jesus was highly distressed, why because His Father was about to forsake him. For the first, last and only time Jesus would be without His Fathers’ Love. The Fathers’ answer, to send an angel to strengthen Him.

1 John 4:19

We love him, because he first loved us.

He first loved us, we felt His love first. Then we give that love back, and He gives us more of His Love, this is a beautiful neverending cycle.  It’s The Fathers’ Love for us that perfects us.  So spend time and I can’t stress this enough, spend time with one verse read it outloud slowly, ponder it, meditate on it. Not casually, but truly seeking The Father.  I suggest a week, ask Holy Spirit for a deep experience of His Love.  I guarantee this will replace fear, with confidence in The Father and will start a change from the inside. The scripture I Love is Romans 8:38-39³⁸ For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, ³⁹ nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

One final point, if we can effectively boast about our Love for Him, then it is us that is glorified not The Father, or Jesus or Holy Spirit.  So if we can say, I love the Father so I obey Him, that is taking the Glory for myself.

1 Corinthians 1:29

that no flesh should glory in his presence.

Instead, I can truly state that it is His Love that perfects me, that strengthens me, and gives me the power to do good, not bad.  I am then reliant on deeply knowing His Love for me.