Leave Punishment Out of Love

1 John 4:18 (NIV)

18There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

*Imagine if we really loved each other in spite of...Imagine the peace it would bring, and the unnecessary stress/assumptions/& drama would be at an all time low. When I read and meditate on this verse, I feel like it is referencing how fear is the punishment we put ourselves through based on our past experiences, so we punish others by not loving them unconditionally because we weren't always loved. Deep right? BUT, what if our actions didn't depend on the reciprocation of others...What if we could love like God? He loves us despite how we ignore, forget to consult with, mistreat, take for granted, or abandon Him. Yet, He still loves and waits on us no matter how disgusting we are...I don't know about you, but I become disgusted with people and their actions. Now, imagine if I didn't react based on that disgust or if you didn't. You see, it is not a sin to get upset with people or even distance yourself. The sin is based on our reaction and whether or not God would disapprove, and if we are punishing them...Thus become the judge. Love can be rough, but not if your heart is first in line with God making it easier to line up with others. Let's pray and work on acting on that today...Understand them the way God would, and ask Him how to do so.