accepted in the Beloved...

 

People who know they are Beloved see things others don’t. In this Scripture, the word “Beloved” (agapao in Greek) speaks especially of love as based on evaluation and choice, a matter of will and action. “Beloved” is in the perfect tense, which in this context, conveys the idea of permanence and speaks of the Father having always loved the Son. Jesus Christ is the One Who is ever in the state of being loved by the Father, and where are saved sinners? In the Beloved.

Many years ago, I heard Elisabeth Elliot open her Gateway To Joy radio show with these comforting words of Scripture, "‘You are loved with an everlasting love.’ That's what the Bible says. ‘And underneath are the everlasting arms.’ This is your friend Elisabeth Elliot…” I came to a place in my life where I wanted, more than anything else, to know and love God more. God is so inconceivably good. He’s not looking for perfection. He already saw it in Christ. He’s looking for affection. That’s why every lasting change will invariably be a change of heart. He’ll even supply the heart, if we’ll ask Him…Lord Jesus, give me a heart to know you and love you more, believing that I am accepted in the Beloved...

 Henri Nouwen, the famous author, once gave a postcard print of Rembrandt’s painting pictured here, Return of the Prodigal, to individuals who came to hear him speak. He asked them to look at the hands of father—one hand looks more masculine and strong, and the other hand looks more feminine and gentle. Recently, my husband and I attended a Chris Tomlin concert and heard a short message during the concert by pastor Louie Giglio on this Scripture from Luke 15. He started his message by stating that the word “prodigal” means “lavish,” although the son was lavish in his lifestyle, the father was also lavish in his love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and acceptance. What a wonderful way to illustrate the unconditional love God has for all of us prodigals, full of grace and truth, His open arms saying, You are my Beloved...

Take a few minutes to watch this powerful music video, When God Ran...

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.—Romans  8:38-39 

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.—John 3:16 

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.—I John 4:10 

We love because he first loved us.—I John 4:19

Was this encouraging to you? Please feel free to leave a comment in the box below, I'd love to hear from you!

Linking up with HolleyGerth's Coffee for Your Heart as an encourager.