4:16
Yet again, let me remind us that John is writing this in the context of gnostic type false teaching that was seeking to sow doubt in the minds of believers. We can be confident in our faith. We know the love of God and we rely on the love of God. All false teachings lead us to rely on something else, knowledge in the case of the gnostics. God is love, and His love being alive in us is a sure sign that we live in God, and He in us.
4:17
In our day death can usually be considered a far off event, albeit one that all of us will have to confront one day. And, of course, there are events that can suddenly bring us face to face with death, such as horrific accidents, terrorist attacks or sudden illness. In John’s day death was something that was much nearer to hand, and so the prospect of judgement was much more real. So having confidence on the day of judgement was also a much more pressing matter. John expected the gospel to make a real effect in people’s lives, and the dominant real effect is that we are to be like Jesus in this world, we are to be Christlike.
4:18
The false teachers often play on fear, fear that we are not worthy. Perfect love drives out fear, for fear has to do with punishment. On the cross Jesus took upon Himself the judgement that should have been ours, the punishment that should have been ours. So we have nothing more to fear, Jesus has done it all. The perfect love of Jesus has paid the price for our sins, so His perfect love drives out fear. When we fear in this life, we are essentially saying that God will not rescue us, or will needlessly let bad things happen to us, or that He will abandon us. We have no need for such fear, for the cross demonstrates beyond all doubt that He will never abandon us.
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