What does 1 John 4:18 mean by " perfect love casts out fear"?
1Jn 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
1Jn 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
1Jn 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
Those that dwell in love dwells in God, and God in them, which we can only have perfect love if we are led of the Spirit, and we do not fear for we will stand in the day of judgment, and not be condemned, for we have the same promise as was given to the man Christ Jesus, eternal life.
Our future is not uncertain like some of the world would think upon, but it is certain that we are with God to prosper, and not perish, and we know where we are going, and that is to be with Jesus.
If you are led of the Spirit your mindset is different than being led of the flesh concerning the world.
The Spirit got Jesus through the cross, and the pain and suffering He went through.
Jesus said do not fear what they can do to the body, but can do no more, but fear God.
Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.
Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Rom 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Rom 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39 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.
When you are led of the Spirit there is no fear, and you can endure all hardships, for you do not care about the physical body, but staying fast to the truth of God.
I know a person will not really know until they are persecuted with severe physical torture, or death, because of the truth, but the Spirit will strengthen you at that time to where your mindset is you will not deny Christ no matter what.
The disciples had much opposition, and threats to them, but they still went about preaching Jesus not caring about their threats.
But in America they do not face anything severe of persecution because of the allowing all religions to be there, at least for the vast majority, so they are somewhat relaxed, and do not need the Spirit to strengthen them from opposition.
I don't ever get persecuted so I do not know what it feels like for the Spirit to strengthen me to overcome it, for it is not needed as of yet.
But if you are led of the Spirit and suffer persecution your mindset is different, and you will endure it, and not fear.
2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Mat 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Rom 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.
Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Heb 13:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
1Jn 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
If we are with God there is no reason to fear, for to fear is to not trust God to help you in all troublesome times, and to know that everything is alright despite the trouble.
If we strive for the spiritual world, what do we care about fearing the things that happen in this world like the world fears it.
Fear has torment, and there is no torment being with God for how can there be.