This phraseology 'Dearly Beloved' was in my spirit this morning when I woke up. Paul uses this expression several times in his epistles and Peter only uses it one time. In Romans he speaks and says, dearly beloved, discover the beauty in everyone, get along with everybody, don't be obsessed with getting even, but leave that to God's righteous judgment.
In 1 Corinthians 10, he gives this spin on what idolatry, stay far away from loving anything more than God. In 2 Corinthians 7, Paul speaks of promises like this, "with promises like these", what promises is he talking about? They are found at the end of chapter 6 and J.B. Phillips offers this, " dearly beloved, with these promises ringing in our ears, let us keep clear of anything (that smirches body or soul). Let us prove reverence for God by consecrating ourselves to him completely."
These are the promises Paul was speaking of: "For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said: "I will dwell among them and walk among them; I will be their God, and they shall be my people.17 "so come out from among unbelievers and be separate," says the Lord, "and do not touch what is unclean; and I will graciously receive you and welcome you [with favor],18 and I will be a father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters," says the Lord Almighty.
2 Corinthians 6:15-18
Then in chapter 12:19 he uses this expression of pastoral relationship, "we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying." What a beautiful example this is for all ministers of the gospel. He picks this theme up again at the close Philippians, chapter 3. 20 " for our conversation is in Heaven; from whence also we look for the savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself." 4 "therefore, my brethren Dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved."
Paul calls Timothy and Philemon, dearly beloved as well. Then Peter uses the term of endearment in 1 Peter 2:11. "My divinely loved friends (dearly beloved), since you are resident aliens and foreigners in this world, I appeal to you to divorce yourselves from the evil desires that wage war within you."
Each night I have been overwhelmed by the love and appreciation I have for the men of God who have rubbed shoulders with you as they have walked out their journey of faith. You have seen them grow and become an example of to us all. I have listened intently to their messages under the tent in this month of life together meetings. I have heard the heart of the father calling us together, each night the overriding message is clear. It is time to go.
Thank you for all you do and what you mean to each other and the small part of the body of Christ, we call Heritage Fellowship.
You are our Dearly Beloved.
Join us nightly through July for our life together tent meeting
We love you and can't wait to see you under the tent!
