The Word Beloved

Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ,

Has anyone ever called you beloved? I’m sure you’ve heard someone tell you that they love you, whether it was your mom or dad, brother or sister, grandparents, your own children, your spouse, or even that ex that you don’t like to think about any more. Love is a powerful word that we use to tell someone that we care very deeply for them. Some say we use it too often, but there are some that have heard it very rarely in their lifetime. A deep word, love.

Love can also be a scary word. To some it means a deep commitment from the other person. Some rush in using the word love believing that the emotions of passion and lust equal love. But, to those that have experienced it, love goes much deeper after the feelings of the surface wear off. Love binds two people together. It puts the other person before yourself. It is a bond that cannot easily be broken.

However, there is this other word that we hear in the Scriptures called “beloved”. To be dearly loved, greatly cherished with intense affection equals beloved. WOW! What a powerful word! It takes love to a whole other level! It takes an already strong emotion that we feel to the next level of greatly cherishing intensely! This is the kind of love that God has for us! He cherishes each one of us intensely! Listen to this passage from Deuteronomy 33:12:

“Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him, for He shields him [and her] all day long, and the one the Lord loves rest between His shoulders.”

I don’t know if I will ever comprehend the amount of love God has for each of us! The fact that we get to rest SECURELY in Him because he cherishes us intensely!! He loves us so much that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him, should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16)!! That’s some pretty intense love right there!

Paul often uses the word beloved in addressing the audience of his letters because he has felt the intense amount of love God has for him and cares for God’s people that way. Let me tell you that I feel that same way about each one of you. If you have heard me tell you I love you and God loves you, and you doubted it, you’re missing the point. God has shown me His unending love for me, His child, and I have that unending love from God to share with each of you. You are also my beloved brothers and sisters in Christ!! We are one in Christ Jesus! PRAISE BE TO GOD!!! Amen.

Sincerely,
Pastor Heather