At our core, we all long to hear the words "you are beloved, with you I am well-pleased." Those are the words said to Jesus by his Father, our God.
"As he (Jesus) was praying, heaven opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on him in a physical appearance like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well-pleased." - Luke 3:21-22
The world will tell you that you deserve to hear those words; reality tells us a different story.
We all do things that don't please others, even God. A lie, slander, breaking a town law, hurting someone we love intentionally or unintentionally. All things that keep us from receiving the prestigious "perfect human being award."
The good news is that because Jesus received these words and then acted on them, we too can hear God tell us, "you are beloved, and I am well-pleased with you."
If you are in Christ, then this is how God sees you as He sees Jesus. Do you live in this truth?
Jesus heard from His Father and walked in that truth.
We have now heard it from God our Father, and we need to walk in that truth as well. This means living a life that follows the example Jesus set before us.
Jesus followed the commands and will of God, and that is our task as well. Not out of duty as if we have something more to prove in self-righteousness, but out of privilege as we have been called sons and daughters of God.
Go forth and walk in that truth. God loves you and is pleased with you.
Well-pleased and Loved
At our core, we all long to hear the words "you are beloved, with you I am well-pleased." Those are the words said to Jesus by his Father, our God.
"As he (Jesus) was praying, heaven opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on him in a physical appearance like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well-pleased." - Luke 3:21-22
The world will tell you that you deserve to hear those words; reality tells us a different story.
We all do things that don't please others, even God. A lie, slander, breaking a town law, hurting someone we love intentionally or unintentionally. All things that keep us from receiving the prestigious "perfect human being award."
The good news is that because Jesus received these words and then acted on them, we too can hear God tell us, "you are beloved, and I am well-pleased with you."
If you are in Christ, then this is how God sees you as He sees Jesus. Do you live in this truth?
Jesus heard from His Father and walked in that truth.
We have now heard it from God our Father, and we need to walk in that truth as well. This means living a life that follows the example Jesus set before us.
Jesus followed the commands and will of God, and that is our task as well. Not out of duty as if we have something more to prove in self-righteousness, but out of privilege as we have been called sons and daughters of God.
Go forth and walk in that truth. God loves you and is pleased with you.
Pastor Nick