"Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love."
1 John 4:17-18, NRSV

Love has amazing powers. It might make an ordinary person beautiful; it might also make a weaker person strong. In contrast, sometimes love might turn into hatred; selfish love might become a pressure to the receivers of love.

The love (agape) that the scripture talks about today will be made perfect to the point that someone will not fear the final judgment and God Himself. Why? There is no punishment facing this person. I wonder how many people have the confidence to make this claim? The scripture tells us that the fact that not many of us dare to make that claim is because we have "not reached perfection in love."

This seemly obvious answer also gives us the same fear as stated in Luke 18:26 "Then who can be saved?" The Answer Jesus Christ gave to those who asked also answers our question: "What is impossible for mortals is possible for God." (Luke 18:27) 1 John 4:17 says that "because as he is, so are we in this world." If we can love one another just like how Jesus Christ loved the disciples when He was on earth, His love is perfected in us. We all know that we can't have this kind of love on our own, but His Holy Spirit will empower us just like He empowered Jesus Christ when He was on earth.

Share to your partner a person you know personally or heard of possessing the quality which reminds you of the love I am discussing here. Pray for each other that you are both willing to allow the Holy Spirit to empower you with His love, so you love others as Jesus Christ loves us.