1 John 4:18-20
Amplified Bible
18 There is no fear in love [dread does not exist]. But perfect (complete, full-grown) love drives out fear, because fear involves [the expectation of divine] punishment, so the one who is afraid [of God’s judgment] is not perfected in love [has not grown into a sufficient understanding of God’s love]. 19 We love, because [a]He first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates (works against) his [Christian] brother he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.
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- 1 John 4:19 Because God bestowed on humanity a free will, man is not forced to love Him, but rather consciously and freely chooses the response he makes to God’s love.
1 John 4:18-20
New International Version
18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear,(A) 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.(B) 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister(C) is a liar.(D) For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen,(E) cannot love God, whom they have not seen.(F)
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