Moment to Moment

Wayback Wednesday: Beloved

This is a revised version of an article I wrote a while back.

Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. (2 Corinthians 7:1, ESV)

Beloved.

That word struck me this morning.

It’s a word that Paul often used to show his affection to the people he wrote to.

But I can’t help but wonder if he was emphasizing to the Corinthians who they were: Beloved by God.

After all, he had just finished telling them,

For we are the temple of the living God, as God said:
I will dwell
and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they will be my people.

Therefore, come out from among them
and be separate, says the Lord;
do not touch any unclean thing,
and I will welcome you.

And I will be a Father to you,
and you will be sons and daughters to me,
says the Lord Almighty. (2 Corinthians 6:16-18)

All these reflect the special relationship we have with God, and the love that he has for us. And it is immediately after this, that Paul says,

Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. (2 Corinthians 7:1)

Why are we to be separate from this world?

Why are we to keep ourselves from sin and be holy?

Because we are beloved sons and daughters of God.

Let us never forget the “why” of holiness, the “why” of everything we do.

We are beloved.