By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

1 John 4:17-18

How do you evaluate your performance in your job? Your relationships? Remember the report cards you received at school?

At work, I log into my iPad every week to download a series of reports that indicate the number of prescriptions written for the products I represent in my part of the Greater Cincinnati area. It’s kind of a report card, but at the end of the year, there is also a performance review that can be a bit more subjective.

Many approach the day they will stand before God with the same kind of fear or dread as a report card, but John reminds us that there is no reason to fear. As we abide in the love of God, His complete, perfected love for us should “cast out fear.” Instead, we should be “confident for the day of judgment.”

So, how do you feel about that final report card? Relying on your efforts or the Grace and Love of Christ?