Fear to perfect love to bold faith

MARK 1:21-28

They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching — with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

I John 4:15-21

God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. So we have known and believe the love that God has for us.
God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment, because as he is, so 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 reached perfection in love. We love because he first loved us. Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also.

Lord,
I think I know now why
the unclean spirit says with such boldness
"I know who you are, the Holy One of God!"
The unclean spirit has nothing to lose.
There's no where lower to descend.

But for me, Lord,
fear is real.
Fear of
what might happen to me,
what others might say,
what others might do to me and to my reputation.

I know "perfect love casts out fear..."
and "whoever fears has not reached perfection in love..."

Help me grow in love, perfect love,
so that I might not fear,
but rather be bold
to join in the confession
that even the unclean spirit claims:
"I know who you are, the Holy One of God!"

Amen.