18 There 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. 19 We love because he first loved us.
Don’t be afraid to make a commitment. Don’t be fearful ofcommitting to a marriage or a ministry. Real love is all about commitment, it is a love that is not afraid. First John 4:18-19 says, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.”
Make the sacrifice and be the first to show love. Love is irresistible. If you want a love response, then you must proactively love. We love God because He first loved us. A situation or a relationship might require you to make the first loving move. And because you first showed love, love will be the result. We show God we love Him by making loving sacrifices for Him. You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving. Real love makes sacrifices.
When you sacrifice, it is for the greater purpose of somebody else. When you find your greater purpose, it’s not so much about you as it is about how God wants to use you to touch and bless other people’s lives. God already knows what your needs are, but He wants you to learn to give sacrificially so that He can supernaturally bless you. Sacrifice isn’t natural. Self-sacrifice is in itself a supernatural act. Sacrificial giving is a spiritual test for all of us, but God blesses us as we give of ourselves. Every time you make a loving sacrifice, you become more like Jesus. He hung on the cross and died in our place because of His great love for us. Whenever you make a sacrifice, whatever it is, you are becoming more Christ-like.