"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)
This verse is the theme of this ministry. The new identity, the royal standing, the priestly ministration of Jesus in our lives is so well presented to us in this verse.
Yet, the King James Translation "Our love made perfect" is not accurate, for we have no love that is perfect in and of ourselves.
Here is a more accurate rendering of this verse:
"By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world." (NASB)
Love is perfected: God's love, not ours.
Check out "The Message" Translation:
"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."
Wow! This rendering brings out the fullness of love perfected among us, that God's love holds us, controls us, leads us, prospers us. This love lives in us, for God is love, and thus God fully dwells in us. I love how this translation brings out the new identity that we have in Christ: "identical with Christ's."
How many "Christ-ians" know and believe this? How may acts in accordance with this revelation?
Why do they fail to enjoy His hyper-victory (Romans 8: 37) and not reign in life (Romans 5: 17)
They do not believe in the full love of God shown to us at the Cross. They do not believe that all their sins have been paid for, both in what they do as well as think and feel. They are not aware, as I was not aware, that we were dead in our trespasses, and now we are alive. We are dead to sin, and alive in righteousness.
Check out the Amplified version of this powerful verse:
"In this [union and communion with Him] love is brought to completion and attains perfection with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment [with assurance and boldness to face Him], because as He is, so are we in this world."
God's love for us is not some petty emotion of ineffective sympathy, but a powerful, dynamic union, and this perfection is revealed to us the more that we understand:
"As He is, So Are We" in this world.
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