Here is a thought – What is should be the most feared thing in all of life? I’m not talking reverential fear for God. I’m saying what should you fear more than anything else? John will tell us what it is and how not to fear it.
Background: Now that I have believed God’s love and can immerse myself in it (VS 16), John wants the reader to understand why the truly saved have no need to fear judgment.
I. In Fellowship we Develop Boldness
“perfected” – perfected perfectly AMOUNG US (not in me or us)
25 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God [a]is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 412 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us
“boldness” – παρρησία = to speak openly, boldly, free from fear
“in the day of judgment” – no fear. We will fully understand grace: Matt. 7:21 – 23; Acts 17:31; Acts 24:25; Heb. 9:27, 10:27; Rev. 20:11 – 15

II. The Identity of Christ’s Love
413 By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.

III. Have no Fear
VS 17 is the Key!! Perfected love creates boldness (no fear) of judgment
Perfect love casts out fear of judgment – to fear judgment is to fear punishment

IV. Love Must Flow
CORRECTION: Original text should read – “We love each other because He first loved us.”
Not a perfect love for others, we get in the way, but a growing love that is being perfected perfectly in fellowship.