THE BELOVED OF THE BELOVED

THE BELOVED OF THE BELOVED

I love how the Father institutes a covenant of sonship with fallen man.  It’s all about grace – it’s all unmerited – all completely undeserved!  This covenant is fully manifested at the baptism of Jesus Christ, when the Holy Spirit descends in the bodily shape of a dove and the Father speaks from Heaven, identifying the Son, the Messiah, the Savior of all men.  “And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17, NKJV)  This is the Father, publically proclaiming that Jesus Christ is His “beloved Son.” 

Jesus’ heavenly connection as the “beloved Son” was of such vital importance that He spoke of it frequently.  In John 3:35, Jesus declares “The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand.”  In John 5:20, Jesus affirms that “the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things.”  And in John 17:23 (a portion of His High Priestly Prayer), Jesus testifies “You [The Father] have sent Me, and have loved them [believers] as You have loved me.”  Clearly, Jesus Christ, the Son, is the “only begotten” and “beloved Son” of the Father.

However, for the believer, this relational-testimony of Jesus Christ becomes a profoundly personal and awesome benefit.  As the “beloved Son” of the Father, Jesus Christ was empowered to die vicariously for our sins, allowing us to be liberated from satanic bondage and to be born again.  As we are born again (by grace through faith) and made alive “in Christ,” we receive the bona fide benefit of divine acceptance.  Because of Christ, we may now boldly approach the throne of grace.  Because of Christ, we are fully pardoned and completely “accepted…in…THE BELOVED.” (II Corinthians 5:17 – Hebrews 4:16 – Ephesians 1:6)  Indeed, because of our relational-connection with the Son, the Father “has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places…IN CHRIST JESUS.” (Ephesians 2:6)

It is absolutely astounding that the Son loves us in the same magnificent manner that  the Father loves the Son.  It bears repetition.  Our Elder Brother loves every one of his spiritual siblings in the same way that  the Father loves the Son.    In other words, every born-again believer has become the beloved…of the “beloved son!”  If that doesn’t make you stand up straight with renewed faith and awareness of how supremely special you are, then it is likely that nothing will.  Question: Do we truly know WHO we are and WHOSE we are?  Unquestionably, we are “heirs of God…and joint-heirs with Christ.”  To wit, we are the beloved…of “the beloved.”  Sisters and brothers, rise up and walk in your son-ship.  Claim the heritage of spiritual authority that will win the world for the Kingdom…and be continually blessed!