The term "dearly-loved" is often used in the Bible to describe the deep affection and special relationship between God and His people, as well as the love shared among believers. This concept is central to understanding the nature of God's love and the expected relationships within the Christian community.

Divine Love for Humanity

The Bible frequently emphasizes God's profound love for humanity, which is often described as "dearly-loved." This love is unconditional and sacrificial, exemplified in the sending of His Son, Jesus Christ, for the salvation of mankind. In Ephesians 5:1-2 , Paul exhorts believers to "be imitators of God, as dearly loved children, and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God." This passage highlights the model of love that believers are to emulate, rooted in the sacrificial love of Christ.

Believers as Dearly-loved Children

The New Testament frequently refers to believers as "dearly-loved" or "beloved" children of God. This designation underscores the intimate and familial relationship between God and His followers. In Colossians 3:12 , Paul writes, "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." Here, the term "dearly loved" serves as a reminder of the identity and calling of believers to live in a manner that reflects their status as cherished members of God's family.

Interpersonal Love Among Believers

The concept of being "dearly-loved" extends to the relationships among Christians. The love that believers receive from God is to be mirrored in their interactions with one another. In 1 John 4:11 , the apostle John writes, "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." This mutual love is a defining characteristic of the Christian community and serves as a testimony to the world of God's transformative love.

Expressions of Dearly-loved in Scripture

Throughout the Bible, various individuals and groups are described as "dearly-loved," highlighting their special place in God's plan. For instance, Daniel is referred to as "greatly beloved" in Daniel 9:23 , indicating his favored status and the affection God has for him. Similarly, the nation of Israel is often depicted as God's dearly-loved people, chosen and set apart for His purposes.

Conclusion

The term "dearly-loved" encapsulates the essence of God's relationship with His people and the love that should characterize the Christian community. It serves as a powerful reminder of the depth of God's love and the call for believers to live in love, reflecting the heart of their Heavenly Father.

Ci to My Most Merciful, My Most Loving, and Dearly-Loved Redeemer
... The Treasury of Sacred Song. Book First CI To my most merciful, my most
loving, and dearly-loved REDEEMER. To my most merciful, my ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/ci to my most merciful.htm

Though Ye Know Him Not
... There is an Indian story of a queen who "proved the truth by tasting the food."
The story tells how her husband, who dearly loved her, and whom she dearly loved ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter xxvii though ye know.htm

Joseph the Dreamer.
... Joseph was dearly loved by Jacob, because the boy had been born when his father
was an old man; and that was one reason why his older brothers hated Joseph and ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/joseph the dreamer.htm

Pauline Enters the Carmel
... The Little Flower had need to strike its tender roots deeper and deeper into the
dearly loved garden of home, for nowhere else could it find the nourishment it ...
/.../martin/the story of a soul/chapter iii pauline enters the.htm

Pauline Enters the Carmel
... The Little Flower had need to strike its tender roots deeper and deeper into the
dearly loved garden of home, for nowhere else could it find the nourishment it ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/therese/story of a soul/chapter iii - pauline enters.htm

On St John the Evangelist's Day
... Now St John especially was conscious of the grace of God from his youth, and was
always the dearly loved disciple of our Lord, on account of his virginal purity ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon v on st john.htm

The Life of Mr. James Mitchel.
... themselves to one another as the word of God required, and above all things to fear
God and delight in his word, and often said, That he dearly loved the book ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr james.htm

Why I Believe the Old Book
... is not for what it claims to be"though it claims much"nor for what men claim for
it, but for what it is to the individual himself that it is so dearly loved ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk three why i believe.htm

He came to his Own.
... talking about heaven, and our souls just now, that is in it too"His will for your
life down here these days is a father's will for the one most dearly loved. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on prayer/he came to his own.htm

Of the Sentiment of Divine Love which is had by Faith.
... to be loved, since the gloomy darkness and thick mists, amid which I am"not seen
but only half-seen cannot hinder me from being so dearly loved, that the soul ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xiv of the sentiment.htm

Dearly-loved (20 Occurrences)
Dearly-loved. Dearly, Dearly-loved. Dearth . Multi-Version Concordance
Dearly-loved (20 Occurrences). Mark 12:6 He had ...
/d/dearly-loved.htm - 12k

Dearly (30 Occurrences)
... Dearly (30 Occurrences). Matthew 3:17 while a voice came from Heaven, saying, "This
is My Son, the dearlyloved, in whom is My delight." (WEY BBE). ...
/d/dearly.htm - 16k

Well-pleased (11 Occurrences)
... Well-pleased (11 Occurrences). Matthew 3:17 And a voice came out of heaven, saying,
This is my dearlyloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. (See NAS). ...
/w/well-pleased.htm - 9k

Dear (120 Occurrences)
... (WEY BBE NIV). 1 Corinthians 4:14 I am not writing all this to shame you, but I
am offering you advice as my dearly-loved children. (Root in WEY BBE NIV). ...
/d/dear.htm - 37k

Delight (213 Occurrences)
... Delight (213 Occurrences). Matthew 3:17 while a voice came from Heaven, saying,
"This is My Son, the dearlyloved, in whom is My delight." (WEY DBY YLT). ...
/d/delight.htm - 40k

Friends (152 Occurrences)
... Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my dearly-loved friends, as I have always found you
obedient, labour earnestly with fear and trembling--not merely as though I were ...
/f/friends.htm - 38k

Dearth (11 Occurrences)

/d/dearth.htm - 11k

Loved (249 Occurrences)
... 1 John 2:7 My dearly-loved friends, it is no new command that I am now giving you,
but an old command which you have had from the very beginning. ...
/l/loved.htm - 35k

Ones (687 Occurrences)
... Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my brethren, dearlyloved and longed for, my joy and
crown, so stand firm in the Lord, my dearly-loved ones. (WEY BBE). ...
/o/ones.htm - 35k

Undergoing (13 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Colossians 3:12 As saints of God, then, holy and dearlyloved, let your
behaviour be marked by pity and mercy, kind feeling, a low opinion of yourselves ...
/u/undergoing.htm - 10k

What does John 3:16 mean? | GotQuestions.org

Does God love me? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of beloved in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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