THE BELOVED OF THE BELOVED

THE BELOVED OF THE BELOVED

 I love how THE FATHER institutes a COVENANT OF SONSHIP with fallen humanity.  It’s all about GRACE, all unmerited, 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 as our Messiah and Savior.  “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, publicly proclaiming JESUS CHRIST as His “BELOVED SON.” 

 Jesus’ heavenly heritage 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 is a profoundly privileged and personal benefit.  As the beloved Son of The Father, Jesus Christ was empowered to die vicariously for our sins, enabling us to be born again and absolutely liberated from satanic bondage.  As we are born again (by grace through faith) and made alive “in Christ,” we receive the bona fide benefit of DIVINE ACCEPTANCE.  (Ephesians 2:8)  Because of Jesus Christ, we may now boldly approach “the throne of grace.”  Because of Jesus Christ, we are fully pardoned and completely “ACCEPTED…IN…THE BELOVED.” (Hebrews 4:16 – II Corinthians 5:17 –Ephesians 1:6) Indeed, because of our covenant connection with THE SON, our God “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 eternally 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 is now THE BELOVED…OF THE BELOVED SON!  That fact should make us stand up straight with renewed faith and awareness of how supremely special we are to The Son.  Question: Do we truly know WHO we are and WHOSE we are?

 Unquestionably, we are “heirs of God…and joint-heirs with Christ.” (Romans 8:17) To wit, we are THE BELOVED…OF THE BELOVED.  My sisters and brothers, rise up today and walk in your SON-SHIP.  This promise (this spiritual benefit) was never designed or intended to be gender specific.  Indeed, every one of us can rightfully claim THE SON-SHIP POSITION of spiritual authority that simultaneously blesses us and wins the world for the Kingdom of God!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!