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The Beloved
Jennifer Woodley
‘And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”’ Mark 1:11 (NRSV)
Christ is the Father’s beloved.
His precious one. His faultless one.
And yet we too are his beloved sons and daughters.
How can that be?
We were once sinners fallen from grace but now are chosen and saved by God’s grace.
His indescribable grace.
He chose to adopt us, then welcome us into his family so that we are no longer a slave under the law, but one of his children and heirs of his inheritance.
God has given us a new name, new clothes, new status, new position, new nature and a new identity.
God has given us a new name, new clothes, new status, new position, new nature and a new identity.
We are one of his beloved – just like his son Jesus.
As new people we are clothed in the righteousness of Christ. When the Father looks at us, he does not see the old sinful person, but Christ.
God looks at us and sees a beloved son or daughter.
We are made completely new through God’s eyes because we are now in Christ.
Can we fathom the generosity of that?
What can we offer in return for his goodness towards us?
What can we offer in return for his goodness towards us?
Christ is the exemplar.
He gave to his Father a surrendered life, an obedient life.
A life dedicated to loving our Father is the example we have to follow.
This is the call of the beloved.
This is a life well pleasing to God.
What is your response to God’s grace towards you?
What is your response to God’s grace towards you?
What, if anything, holds you back from living more fully for him?
Jennifer lives in Australia with her family. She enjoys encouraging others on the Christian journey through writing and mentoring. Contact
Jennifer lives in Australia with her family. She enjoys encouraging others on the Christian journey through writing and mentoring. Contact

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