Be Loved

Be Loved

What do you think of when you hear the word beloved? Does it bring to mind the opening of a wedding ceremony when the pastor says, “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the sight of these many witnesses…”? Or perhaps while attending a funeral, you hear the deceased being referred to as ‘very beloved.’ For me, this word connotes two different meanings. First, it’s been used to refer to Jesus Himself, as stated in Ephesians 1:6: “He made us accepted in the Beloved.” Second, the word itself is defined as ‘dearly loved.’ So, it refers to a measure or degree when we hear “Dearly beloved,” because we actually mean ‘dearly, dearly loved.’ 

Lately, I’ve been hearing ‘beloved’ in a whole new way. It’s as if the Lord has split the word in two and made it an imperative. As if the Lord intends me to ‘BE LOVED.’ That then begs the question, “Well, how do I do that? How can I be sure that I am loved?” The answer is simple and is made plain in a familiar children’s song. The song opens with a joyful phrase: “Jesus loves me,” and concludes with a definitive statement, “this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” 

But where in the Bible does it say that God loves us? Romans 5:8 explains, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” John 15:9 builds on this idea where Jesus says, “Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.” Even the Old Testament prophet, Jeremiah, proclaimed the truth of God’s love for us when he exhorted His words: “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.” (Jeremiah 31:3). Just reading these verses, which are promises from God to us, restores my sense of BEING loved. So the next time you hear the word ‘beloved,’ please break it apart into the directive from our LORD Himself to BE LOVED. 

Let us Walk in His Way. 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for showing us Your love through Your Son, Jesus, while He walked the Earth. Thank You for proof from Your Word that You love us with an unfailing love. May we love others in the same way so that they, too, can ‘be loved.’ Amen.

by Corinne “Kinney” deHamel

author of “Walk in His Way” for

Carry the Light Ministries