Wednesday, April 03, 2013

Philippians 1:28


28 And do not [for a moment] be frightened or intimidated in anything by your opponents and adversaries, for such [constancy and fearlessness] will be a clear sign (proof and seal) to them of [their impending] destruction, but [a sure token and evidence] of your deliverance and salvation, and that from God.

How is it that we can be fearless? 

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. 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. 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. There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love's complete perfection]. 1 John 4:15-18

Our Father is continually in us and so His Love is continually in us. Our Father’s Love is what allows us to love those who hate us. His Love causes us to bless those that curse us. God’s Love is never harsh or brutal or unforgiving, even towards those that would like to do us harm.

For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere. Ephesians 6:12

Our Father’s Love does not prove to us that those who come against us will be destroyed. It is proof to us that the sin within them will be destroyed. People who seek revenge and who desire to get even are never happy and confident, they are bitter. But our Father’s Love causes us to know beyond any shadow of a doubt that those who do us harm will be set free and the evil within them will be destroyed and the person will be set free. Love insures us that all things, even attacks against us, will all work out for good.

We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. Romans 8:28

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