Daily Archives: June 13, 2023

As John speaks this morning, he is addressing the “Beloved”. Who are the “Beloved”? In the Old Testament, God called His people Israel the “Beloved”:

Deuteronomy 33:12 (ESV) Of Benjamin he said, “The beloved of the Lord dwells in safety. The High God surrounds him all day long, and dwells between his shoulders.”

In the New Testament, God calls His Church the “BELOVED”.

2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The “BELOVED” are those who have heard the Gospel of salvation, and have surrendered to its call.

Though “God so loved the world” (John 3:16), the world itself is NOT the Beloved of God. The Christian and the Church are “BELOVED” because we have received Jesus as both Lord and Savior. Jesus Christ is the Father’s “BELOVED” Son in whom He is well pleased (Matthew 3:17; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22; Matthew 17:5). The word “BELOVED” is the Greek adjective agapētos which is a term of deep affection meaning “well favored, highly esteemed”. In the Hebrew, the adjective yāḏîḏ adds the word “lovely” to the mix. It is the word God uses when He looks… Continue reading →