Identity of the Soul

I wanted to begin this blog today with the main scripture the Lord has given our church congregation to focus on for the year of 2019.  The scripture is found in 3 John 2, and it states, “Beloved, I wish above all things that you mayest prosper and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”

I love this scripture! I love the way it begins! The simple word, beloved. When anyone calls you beloved, you know you’re loved. This is John who is writing to Gaius, and by using this word, we realize that Gaius and John are not just casual friends. They are not even partners in a business, but there is a strong emotional tie here. This is a relationship of true love: a brother-to-brother or father-to-child kind of love. Every time I read this scripture, I think of the Father talking to me, His child. BELOVED. (Remember, the Word of God tells us that all scripture is presented to us by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.)

So, God is talking to us here and saying, “my dearest, most loved part of my life.” To finish out the rest of the scripture, you have to realize how loved you are by God! You are so loved that He created a plan from the beginning of time to bring you into fellowship with Him. He gave up His only son, allowed Him to suffer for us so that we may be reunited with Him. You have to realize that you are loved beyond any measure in life - beyond anything that you can imagine, beyond eternity. This is how strong the word beloved is!

Another example of the beloved type of sincere love is found in John 3:16. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

God SO loved that His desire is that not one person will perish, but that everyone should have everlasting life! We were part of that “world.” He so loved us that now we do not have to have life without Him. We have everlasting life, thus, He calls us beloved.

This upcoming week, focus on the first part of 3 John 2: beloved Be loved by God. Be loved with God’s whole heart! Be loved by God’s very existence! And then in turn say, “God, be loved by me. God, be loved with my whole heart! God, be loved by my whole existence!” Then, you will be able to write a letter to God that starts with, “Dear Beloved,...”

-Coach Brim