It goes without saying that for most of us, there is nothing on this earth more precious than the people we love. And within that group of people, there exists those we love above all others, and we rightly refer to them as our “beloved.” So it is with God. Although God loves the world (John 3:16), there exists those especially loved ones who are most precious to Yahweh.
Towering above all others, is the divine relationship between God the Father and His Son Jesus. Of whom the Father spoke on the day John the Baptist baptized Jesus saying, this is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased (Matthew 3:17). Even though Jesus was rejected by men… in the sight of God He is chosen and precious (1 Peter 2:4).
However, when considering the Lord’s love for earthly nations, Israel remains the greatest example of the security that exists for those whom Yahweh has attached His love to as His beloved. Despite repeated idolatry, rejection of their Messiah, and dismissing God’s discipline, the Lord remains true to His covenant promises for Israel. Psalm 89:28, 33-34 says it all; My steadfast love I will keep for him (Israel) forever, and my covenant will stand firm for him. But I will not remove from him my steadfast love or be false to my faithfulness. I will not violate my covenant or alter the word that went forth from my lips. So, when Paul asks in Romans 11:1, has God rejected his people (Israel)? The emphatic answer is immediately returned, By no means! God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew… (Romans 11:2).
Yet within humanity, there exists a grouping of people who uniquely have God’s love eternally focused on and attached to them. It’s those whom Jude, Jesus’ younger brother spoke of in Jude 1:1, …those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ. It is those who were bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20), with the precious blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:19). These people, God has delivered from the domain of darkness and transferred to the kingdom of his beloved Son (Colossians 1:13). We call these people Christians because they believe in and follow the Lord Jesus Christ. In Ephesians 1:6, Paul calls Jesus’ believers the Beloved.
Therefore, Paul calls us to be imitators of God, as beloved children (Ephesians 5:1). Being in such a highly privileged position comes through God’s grace and carries earthly responsibility. As always, those things God calls us to be, He also graciously enables us to be. He provides multiple tools for accomplishing this, including putting on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil (Ephesians 6:10-18).
Ensure no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit… and not according to Christ (Colossians 2:8). Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry (Colossians 3:5). Destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). As God’s chosen people, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience… forgive one another… as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love… (Colossians 3:12-15).
I encourage you to implement God’s tools to accomplish God’s will in your life. May He be glorified as we give expression to our appreciation of being His beloved from hearts filled with gratitude and love.
