Living as Beloved Children

April 03, 2025

Jesus Baptized — God declares that we are His beloved children, and He is well-pleased with us through the lens of His Son.

Today is a new beginning, a chance to embrace the truth of who we are in Christ: beloved children, cherished and delighted in. Let's cast aside any doubts or insecurities and step into the fullness of our identity, ready to experience the joy and power that comes from knowing we are deeply loved. Prepare to be refreshed, renewed, and empowered as we meditate on the profound truth of our beloved identity.

Declared Beloved: A Divine Affirmation

"and a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” - Matthew 3:17

Take a moment to truly consider the weight of this divine declaration. God Himself, speaking from heaven, affirms Jesus as His beloved Son, with whom He is utterly pleased. This wasn't just a casual statement; it was a powerful pronouncement of identity, purpose, and divine favor. Now, consider this: as believers in Jesus Christ, we are adopted back into God's family. We become His sons and daughters, co-heirs with Christ, and recipients of the same love and favor that He bestows upon His Son. This means that the declaration, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased," resonates with us as well. God looks at us through the lens of His Son, seeing us as righteous, holy, and deeply loved. This truth should permeate every aspect of our lives, shaping our self-perception, our relationships, and our approach to the world.

"Lord, thank you that you have chosen me as your child, as your people, as your son, and you are well pleased with me."

Make this your daily affirmation. Speak it over yourself each morning, allowing it to sink deep into your soul. Remind yourself that you are not just an ordinary person; you are a child of the Most High God, and He is delighted with you.

Challenging Identity: The Enemy's Tactics

The enemy, the father of lies, is constantly seeking to undermine our faith and steal our joy. One of his primary tactics is to challenge our identity in Christ. He whispers doubts and insecurities into our minds, trying to make us question our worth and our position in God's family. Just as he tempted Jesus in the wilderness, he tempts us with the same question:

"If you are the Son of God" - Matthew 4:3, 6

He uses this question to sow seeds of doubt and to try to lead us astray. He might suggest that if we were truly children of God, we wouldn't be facing certain challenges or experiencing certain struggles. He might try to convince us that we are not good enough, strong enough, or worthy enough to be called children of God. It's crucial to recognize these tactics for what they are: lies designed to rob us of our peace and our power. We must be vigilant in guarding our hearts and minds against these attacks, and we must be ready to counter them with the truth of God's Word.

Standing on Truth: Our Firm Foundation

We don't need to prove our identity to anyone, least of all to the enemy. Our identity is not based on our performance, our achievements, or the opinions of others. It is based solely on God's unwavering love and His irrevocable promises. We are children of God because He has declared it to be so. We are righteous because He has imputed His righteousness to us through faith in Jesus Christ. We are loved because He has demonstrated His love for us in the ultimate sacrifice of His Son. Therefore, we can stand firm on the truth of who God says we are, regardless of our circumstances or feelings. When the enemy tries to sow seeds of doubt, we can confidently declare:

"I don't need to prove that I am the Son of God because God already declared I am the Son of God."

This is our firm foundation, our unshakeable truth. We are children of God, and nothing can ever change that.

Living in Delight: Experiencing God's Joy

God is not just pleased with us; He is delighted! He rejoices over us with singing (Zephaniah 3:17). He delights in our presence, and He longs to pour out His blessings upon us. Every time we focus on Him, meditate on His Word, and seek His presence, He is filled with joy. He delights in our growth, our progress, and our victories. He is our loving Father, and He takes great pleasure in seeing us thrive. We can experience this delight by cultivating a close relationship with Him, by spending time in prayer and worship, and by seeking to know Him more intimately. As we draw closer to Him, we will begin to sense His joy and His pleasure in our lives.

Conclusion

Today, let's walk in the full assurance of our beloved identity. We are not defined by our past, our struggles, or the opinions of others. We are children of God, chosen, loved, and delighted in. Embrace this truth and let it transform your life. Let it empower you to overcome every challenge, to pursue your dreams with confidence, and to live a life that is pleasing to God.

Reflect on This

How does knowing that God is delighted with you change the way you approach your daily tasks and interactions?
What specific lies has the enemy been whispering about your identity, and what scriptures can you use to replace those lies with God's truth?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for revealing the truth of my identity in Christ. I am Your beloved child, and You are well-pleased with me. I reject every lie of the enemy and embrace Your promises. I walk in Your love, empowered by Your Spirit, and confident in Your calling. I am who You say I am. I am Your beloved, and You delight in me. Amen.

Key Takeaways

God declares that we are His beloved children, and He is well-pleased with us. This is a foundational truth that should shape our entire lives.
The enemy challenges our identity, but we don't need to prove it. We simply need to stand firm on God's Word.
We stand firm on the truth of who God says we are, regardless of our circumstances or feelings.
God is delighted with us and rejoices when we focus on Him. We can experience His joy by cultivating a close relationship with Him.
Our identity is based on God's promises, not our circumstances. We are children of God, and nothing can ever change that.

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To dive deeper into this powerful message, watch the full sermon on our YouTube video below.