There is a second profound truth that Dickens hit upon in his classic masterpiece A Tale of Two Cities. One of the major themes of the story, and one that I always teach to my students, is the rivalry between love and fear. From the beginning, love and fear have battled for the affections of every soul. And, gentlemen, the decision that we make between the two of them (and we will choose one) will hold tremendous sway over our lives and the lives of our families. 1 John 4:18 reads: "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love." It is important to understand that the Greek word translated as "torment" refers to torment inflicted as a penalty. If we choose to live in fear, then we can never really know forgiveness, even though it has been paid for and offered to us. Such a man might spend his whole life seeking forgiveness through illegitimate means, leading to frustration, bitterness and confusion for those around him. Now, think about a man who knows the love of the one God. Think about a man who has entrusted his life to the love of the Lord, and without understanding it, has believed God's promise of forgiveness for all who would believe Him. That man can get up with his hand firmly in the hand of the Lord, and walk in the way that He leads. That man does not fear death, because his Savior disarmed death forever, irrevocably. That man understands that "the chastisement for our peace was upon Him" (Isaiah 53:5), and that "there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit" (Romans 8:1).
Dickens' Sydney Carton willingly laid down his life because of his love for a family. When given the opportunity to save himself, he remembered Jesus' Words to Martha from John 11:25: "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live." These Words brought joy, peace and resolution to his heart. Our world, nation and families need men who have chosen to live in love instead of fear. Our adversary would love nothing more than to see the church, bought by the blood of Jesus, living in fear, and consequently, dying by fear. Perfect love casts out fear. Perfect love knows me by name, and has given me His.