Many believers in Christ feel apprehensive about their safety as they face many dangers.  The Apostle Paul experienced those emotions too (2 Corinthians 7:5).  But unresolved, the door is open to two unasked questions, ‘How safe am I in Jesus?’, or ‘What do I have to do to make sure that God still loves me?’ Humanly, we do not feel worthy of His love (and we are not, it only comes to us by His grace).  And therefore we can easily slip into a religion of works, believing that if we do the right things then He will love us more - and that is not Biblical either.

The truth is that God is love (1 John 4:16).  The love of Christ is the love of God because He is one with the Father (John 10:30).  That love can never fail because it is an intrinsic part of the nature of God.  He cannot stop loving because He is love.  But what about the dangers all around?  Some may say, ‘If He loves me, why does He allow such threats to surround me?’  The threats do not cancel out God's love or make it ineffective; indeed, God's love is designed to give us confidence so that we do not fear the danger (1 John 4:18).

God's people will always be at risk of spiritual attack until Jesus Christ returns.  He suffered and we too are called to suffering (Philippians 1:29).  But our pain is always limited by His love, and through His love we can overcome.  God does not take us out of the battle, but His love urges us to face the enemy and not be frightened to turn away. Following Jesus does not take us out of the conflict zone but enables us to win the battles in His Name.

So, do not be discouraged. Christ, who has paid for you with His own blood, will not stop loving you. He is with you in trouble and will enable you to overcome.  So, keep on trusting, obeying and serving - do not back away because of threats: ‘because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.’ (1 John 4:4).