“Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.”
My Notes
What Does 1 John 4:17 Mean?
"As he is, so are we in this world." John makes one of the most staggering identity statements in the New Testament: as Christ is, so are believers in this world. The comparison is present tense and spatial: in this world, right now, you are as He is. Not as He was on earth. As He is — currently, in His glorified, ascended, triumphant state.
The context is the day of judgment: perfect love produces boldness (confidence, fearlessness) in facing judgment. The reason for the boldness is this identity claim: we are in this world as He is. If you're as He is, what can judgment threaten? The standard by which you're measured is the person you're identified with.
The phrase "herein is our love made perfect" (or "love is perfected with us") means the perfection of love produces the boldness. Love isn't perfected by intensity of feeling but by confidence before God. Perfect love doesn't cower. It approaches the judgment seat knowing: as He is, so am I.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Do you live with the boldness of someone whose identity is 'as He is'?
- 2.What would change if you truly believed you are in this world as Christ is?
- 3.How does identity-based confidence differ from performance-based hope?
- 4.What does perfect love that produces boldness before judgment look like in daily life?
Devotional
As He is, so are we. In this world. Right now. Not 'as He was when He walked the earth.' As He IS — right now, glorified, seated at the right hand, triumphant. That's your identity. In this world.
The statement is almost too much to process. John says: your identity in this world corresponds to Christ's current identity. He is righteous — so are you. He is loved by the Father — so are you. He is victorious — so are you. The comparison isn't aspirational. It's declarative. Present tense. Current reality.
The practical result is boldness in the day of judgment. Perfect love casts out fear (verse 18) because the identity claim removes the threat: if you are as Christ is, what can judgment do to you? The standard you're judged by is the person you're identified with. And your identification is with someone who has already passed through judgment and emerged victorious.
This is the deepest security the gospel offers: not that you'll be good enough on judgment day, but that your identity on judgment day is Christ's identity. As He is — righteous, accepted, beloved, victorious — so are you. The confidence isn't in your performance. It's in your identification.
Do you believe this? Not intellectually — experientially. Do you walk through this world as someone who is as Christ is? Or do you walk as someone who hopes to be good enough when the day comes? The difference between boldness and fear is the difference between identity and performance.
As He is, so are you.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Herein is our love made perfect,.... Or love with us; which some understand of the love of God towards his people, and…
Herein is our love made perfect - Margin, “love with us.” The margin accords with the Greek - μεθ ̓ ἡμῶν meth'…
Herein is our love made perfect - By God dwelling in us, and we in him; having cast out all the carnal mind that was…
The apostle, having thus excited and enforced sacred love from the great pattern and motive of it, the love that is and…
Herein is our love made perfect Better, as the margin, Herein is love with us made perfect; or, as R. V., Herein is love…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture