The Capital “B”

“…He gave us favor in the Beloved.” Ephesians 1:3-6

There are parts of the Bible that we hear so often that we overlook the real truth conveyed.

One passage in Ephesians means a lot to me now.

But I had become so familiar with it that I didn’t perceive it in my heart as intended.

I’ve always completely missed its actual meaning.

In a recent Bible study, the Holy Spirit actually removed the blinders. My eyes of faith finally saw the capital “B” in the word beloved. Jesus. The Beloved Son of God.

“…But as his anointing teaches you concerning all things,

and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, you will remain in him.”

1 John 2:27

All of my life, I have thought this passage refers to being accepted in the fellowship of beloved believers.

But the Beloved in this passage is Jesus -the Beloved Son of God.

How I kept missing this I will never know. The passage is so clear.

This is why it is so important for believers to pray before reading the Bible. We are instructed to pray for help from the Holy Spirit. He is our Teacher. He opens spiritually blind eyes and fills empty hearts.

Because our sin nature is what separates us from God, we could never approach Him for anything-

-but for the beloved Christ.

Because of Christs’ sacrifice for us, we are no longer separated from God by our sin.

Of course, as a believer it is very important to confess known daily sin. You cannot lose your salvation, but if that is your primary concern, then your focus is not on the right thing. Your sin should grieve you, because as a believer who loves God, you should never want to dishonor Him.

But to continue with the thought that has gripped my heart, is this knowledge that believers are fully accepted.

And that is not because of anything that we have done. We are made clean and holy before God through our personal relationship with the Beloved.

When Jesus’ prayed for us before He died, He prayed that we would experience the unity of the Father and the Son.

“I in them, and you in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that you sent me and loved them, even as you loved me.” John 17:23

I don’t know about you, but all of Ephesians 1 makes me want to live to honor God.

I know I will fail. He still loves me.

Even in the blackest parts of my heart, God sees Jesus’ sacrifice. He doesn’t see my sin.

That is why, even though we will fall down, we should be inspired. This greatest of all Loves motivates us to lead better lives.

This is not to earn our way to Heaven. God’s Word is plain that redemption is a gift of God by grace through faith. (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Look at some of the benefits for believers that are listed in the passage:

Grace and peace + Spiritual blessings + United with Jesus + Loved by God + Made to be holy

Adopted into God’s family + God takes delight in you + Our freedom was purchased + Our sins are forgiven

We are given wisdom + We have received an inheritance + We have been given the Holy Spirit

Christ has filled us with Himself.

Christ has covered us with His very own Blood.

And now, we are accepted in the BELOVED.

Let the marvelous grace of God wash over you today as you indulge in this passage.

There is no shadow of darkness that can dim these beautiful thoughts of God toward you.

Let this Love of Jesus help light a renewed fire in your heart to fully live for Him. Share this Truth with others who need our Savior.

No shadow of darkness hides me from the Love of God my Savior.