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Living Out In My Belovedness
John DangananAnd when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:16-17)
Before Jesus demonstrated his pietyby fasting forty daysand forty nights in complete reliance and obedience to the Father, the Father was pleased and loved the Son. Before Jesus began his public ministry, preached his first sermon, recruited the first disciples or healed a sick person—he was a beloved Son, fully pleasing to the father. This is the love of God. A love that is unconditional, not based on performance or obedience. A love that loved first, without expecting anything in return. A love that is steadfast, constant when we do bad or do good.
I stand firm and walk in God’s love for me this morning. Theunconditional love that God has for me cannot be earned by my obedience or diminished by my disobedience. His love is for me is constant—He is not morepleased with me when I obey or less pleased when I sin. I also need God’s unconditional love in loving and leading my family. Too many times my mood is dependent on whether my kids behaved or not. I am communicating a love to them that is conditional on their behavior. Jesus I need you so much.
