No Guilt in Life, No Fear in Death

John writes about that which overpowers all emptiness & fear: that is the love of God as seen in the life of Jesus & a love perfected in His people.

No Guilt in Life, No Fear in Death

"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."

(1 John 4:18)

Bernard Langer is one of the best professional golfers to ever play the game. Even at age 67, he is still very competitive. Here are some of his accomplishments from a search on his life online:

Two-time Masters Tournament champion (1985 and 1993).
More than 120 professional tournament victories worldwide across his career.
Inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2002.
Played on 10 Ryder Cup teams for Europe and captained the winning European team in 2004.
Became the most successful player in the history of the PGA Tour Champions, winning a record number of tournaments and multiple season-long Charles Schwab Cup titles.
One of the few golfers to win professional tournaments on every continent where golf is played.

But my favorite aspect of his life is his relationship with Jesus Christ which he refers to as the most important part of his life. After winning the 1985 Master's Tournament, he was interviewed in the famed Butler Cabin, and when asked how he felt after nine holes and down by four shots, he used the Lord's name in vain, literally blurting out "Jesus Christ." Two men on the tour who were strong Christians, Scott Simpson and the chaplain on the PGA Tour at the time, Larry Moody, when they heard what Langer said, they both got on their knees and prayed for their friend. The next week, he was playing a practice round with Bobby Clampett, a strong follower of Jesus and outspoken in his faith. Clampett told Langer he and his wife should come to the tour Bible study. Langer, raised as a Catholic, was disinterested at first but told Clampett to send him the information, and he and his wife might come. Langer and his wife came to the Bible study! Simpson and Moody must have smiled and thanked God when they saw him and his wife walk in the room. For the next three months, Langer read the Bible and then gave his life to Christ. I heard his testimony on the podcast "Bible Caddie Podcast," and he said that after winning the Masters in 1985, he felt so empty inside and was wondering, "Is this all there is to life?" After winning the 1993 Masters, he was interviewed again in Butler Cabin and asked about his win. He said, "What is special today is it is Easter, the day my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ arose from the dead."

What Langer described as emptiness before he came to know Jesus is what I describe as fear in my own life, mainly a fear of death and entering eternity without being saved. When I read our biblical text for today's devotion, my heart is full because John writes about that which overpowers all emptiness and feelings of fear, and that is the love of God as seen in the life of Jesus Christ and a love perfected in His people.