Beloved Before Becoming (Luke 3:15–17, 21–22) — The Merge

What if the truest thing about you isn’t what you’ve achieved, but what God has spoken?

In this week’s episode of The Merge, Rev. Dr. Sargent R. Nelson sits with Luke 3:15–17, 21–22 and the life-giving truth: Beloved comes before becoming. When a crowd looks for a savior, John the Baptist refuses celebrity status and points to Jesus, the One who baptizes with the Holy Spirit and fire. Then heaven opens, the Spirit descends, and God names Jesus: “Beloved.”

This devotional is a steady word for an anxious time, especially if you’ve been living under pressure, performance, or fear. We’ll explore how God’s voice anchors identity, how the Spirit refines (not destroys), and how an intergenerational church can resist “empire-shaped” Christianity by living from belovedness.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why we chase “savior substitutes” when life feels unstable

How to understand “Spirit and fire” as refining love, not shame

A simple practice for the week: “In Christ, I am beloved, before I become.”

Scripture: Luke 3:15–17, 21–22

Listen, reflect, and share this with someone who needs a steady word today.