I am writing this blog to reveal the love of our Father through a simple illustration that will help everyone understand His love and be freed from fear. By receiving His perfect love, we can truly understand who we are in Jesus, which empowers us to live boldly.

Love brings both power and authority, as stated in:

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” – 2 Timothy 1:7
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” – 1 John 4:18

This illustration will compare how an earthly father deals with his children regarding judgment and punishment, and how God, our Heavenly Father, addresses us in the same context. By examining the similarities and differences, we will see God's loving approach. I firmly believe that God has given us relationships in this life—such as father and son, husband and wife, friends, and family—so that we can relate to His actions towards us and experience His unconditional love.

Let’s begin to explore...

An earthly father instructs his child not to touch the fire (LAW). The father gives this command (law) out of love, to protect his child from harm. Love is the foundation of the law, and the law serves two purposes: to display the father’s love for his child, so that the child understands how much he is loved, and to protect the child from harm. In the same way, our Heavenly Father gave us the law to protect us, stemming from His love (Old Testament through Moses and the prophets).

An earthly father also informs his child about the consequences of touching the flame. He teaches his child that if the law is broken, it will result in pain and suffering, and this outcome is undesirable. The earthly father introduces judgment and punishment to his child, not to instill fear, but to guide the child in obedience for his well-being. Similarly, our Heavenly Father tells us of the judgment and punishment we face if we disobey the law, but He also provides a way out of that punishment. He offers Himself as the way, ensuring our safety and love.

When an earthly child breaks the law and touches the flame, causing harm, the father immediately runs to his child, doing everything possible to ease the pain and make the child feel better. He will not stand idly by as his child suffers as a result of disobedience. However, upon closer inspection, we see that the child has already been judged and punished for breaking the father’s law. Despite the father’s heart to protect, he could not prevent the hurt. If the father could see the future or take the pain on behalf of his child, he would certainly do so.

Yet, even though the earthly father’s heart is to protect, he cannot save his child from the consequences. If he had the power to see the future or take the pain upon himself, he would. But this is a human perspective. When we consider God's perspective as our Heavenly Father—who knows the beginning and the end, who is just and never unjust—He handles the situation differently.

When we break the law, punishment is necessary; justice demands it. If God were to alter this by using His power to save His children from punishment, He would no longer be just.

So, He volunteered Himself, taking our place as His own Son. He endured all the pain and suffering so that we would be saved from the punishment of breaking the law. In doing so, He did not alter the future or misuse His power. He remained just, while also expressing His immense love by giving His Son as a substitute for us.

He delivers everyone from punishment. So don’t worry about anything, just believe in our Father's everlasting love.