1. VI. The Rule of Love (4:7-4:19)
    1. C. Love is Our Confidence of His Guidance (4:17-4:19)
Thematic Relation: When we love as He loves, we are confident of being His, and thus need not fear His wrath.

Some Key Words

Perfected (teleioo[5048]):
to complete, finish, accomplish; to add what is yet wanting in order to render a thing full; to consummate in character.
Confidence (parresia[3954]):
freedom or frankness in speaking, boldness in speech, openness, unwavering confidence of faith; free and fearless confidence
Fear (phobos[5401]):
timidity, shrinking away in fear; dread, terror, what strikes terror; alarm, fright
Punishment (kolasis[2851]):
torment, punishment for the correction and bettering of the offender; correction, penalty; penal infliction
 

Paraphrase

17 By means of the ways mentioned above - active loving, obedience to God's command, spreading of the Gospel - love is made complete within us, giving us confidence of being found pleasing when we come to the final judgement. 18 When love is complete, no fear is necessary because no cause can be found for punishment - which is what makes us fearful. Presence of fear indicates incompleteness of love. 19 We are able to be complete in love because of God's completed love for us.

Key Verse

4:18 - this boils it down pretty nicely. When we love completely - obedient to command, willing to do what's needed even if it hurts, giving our all to see others saved - there is no reason to worry over being found wanting in the day of judgement.

Thematic Relevance:

 Love is the key to this walk we're on. Not the sappy, romantic love of the world; nor the greedy, jealous love; but the deeply caring, compassionate love God shows us. This is our badge of His presence within, and our calling on this pilgrimage; to love strongly - willing to be offensive if that's what is needed to bring another around, willing to do whatever must be done to see that person saved.

Doctrinal Relevance:

 17 There will be a judgement day. 18 We can come to it in confidence, if we've been doing His will. 19 We can love only because He has loved us.

Moral Relevance:

 The ball's in our court. It's up to us to love fully and completely with all that God has put within us. He gives us of Himself, of His Son, and of His Spirit that we can love and obey. It's up to us to be willing, and to act on what He's shown us.

Some Parallel Verses

4:17
Mt 10:15 - those who don't heed the apostle's teachings will be judged harshly in the last day. Jn 17:22 - but Jesus has given us of His glory to unite us with each other and with God - [in common purpose].
4:18
Ro 8:15 - our obedience to God should not be out of fear - as a slave to his master, but out of love - realizing He has adopted us as sons, and commands us for our good.
4:19

New Thoughts

The perfection of love is to be like You, Lord. This is a tall order, but I am thankful that You provide us with the means. Again I pray that You would help my will to be Your will, my desire to be the doing of Your every command, my love to be as fearless as Your own. Lord, open my mouth. Give me the boldness to proclaim Your lordship, and Your great works on our behalf. I want to have no cause for concern when I stand before You. I want to be found fit to see You in Your fullness. I want to know You forever as my loving Father. Do what You need to, Father, to mold me in Your image. I am willing. Scared, but willing.