God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we’re free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love. I John 4:17-18 Message
I just looked up the definition of the word ‘banish’ and this is what it says: to expel from or relegate to a country or place by authoritative decree; condemn to exile; to compel to depart; send, drive, or put away. Do you see what love does to fear? Love gives you the authority to ban fear from operating in your life. It doesn’t allow your fears of failure, defeat or loss to dictate the outcomes of your future.
Love at its finest is God. Do you see that? Surrendering to that kind of love is life changing. It’s empowering. On it’s wings comes peace and assurance. Trying to control things you weren’t meant to is where fear comes from. Surrender to God puts trust where it belongs, in Him.
Ephesians 3:14-20 says it like this:
My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God. God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.
Gods purpose isn’t to control us and make us do things, it’s in surrendering to the depths of His love that we experience freedom. As Paul said in Galatians 2:20; I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Banish fear and plant yourself in Love today. Watch the fruit become evident in every area you come in contact with.