God's Beloved Community

This week we shall be looking at an aspect of God's purpose for his creation. God has planned to have a beloved community, that is, beloved by him and sharing in his purpose.

He has had this intention always and never relents in bringing it about.

I have been surprised to discover that 'beloved' is one of the chief ways in which the apostles speak about Christians and churches—over 50 times in the epistles.

The community is formed, not out of our good will or over the top of our bad will, but in and through his Son Jesus Christ. Jesus himself is the Beloved, and we are accepted in him. This is remarkable in its coming to be, and remarkable in its consequences.