| It's Good to Know A Christian perspective on current issues. By Bob Smith |
| Holy, Holy Holy, Lord God Almighty…Merciful and mighty; God in three persons, blessed Trinity. What does that mean, God in three persons? What is a Trinity? “Is it like an egg: shell, white and yolk?” Keep reading. “Is it like water: liquid, gas and solid?” Keep reading. “Is it like a man who is a farmer and a husband and a father?” Keep reading. The Trinity is a part of God that lies beyond our finite ability to comprehend. Great minds throughout the centuries have sought ways to make it completely understandable but it is beyond the grasp of anything we know. The Trinity is a mystery. “Then what is the point in trying to explain it?” Keep reading. While the doctrine of the trinity is a mystery, we can understand something of its truth. Basically, Scripture tells us that: 1.) God is three distinct persons; the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. But unlike the farmer, husband, father example, the Father is not sometimes the Son or the Spirit. The same goes for the other two. They are distinct. Scripture also tells us that: 2.) Each person is fully God. Unlike an egg that is part shell, part yolk and part white, the Father is fully God, the Son is fully God and the Spirit is fully God. Finally, Scripture tells us that: 3.) There is only one God. Although there are three distinct persons, who are fully God, there are not three Gods, only one. A molecule of water would have to be a solid, liquid and gas at the same time to accurately represent the Trinity. It is clearly a mystery. “Then what use is it?” Keep reading. People for centuries have tried to understand the Father, Son and Holy Spirit outside of the Trinity relationship. But to do so means the sacrificing of an important aspect of the triune God. Some have felt that God was not three distinct person, but only one person appearing in three different forms. If that is true than our hope of Christ interceding for us at the right hand of the Father is gone. How could God be on the throne and interceding at the right hand if there were no distinction? Others have felt that Jesus was created by God. If Christ | was not fully God, then we would be worshipping that which was created, which is idolatry. “But how does understanding the Trinity impact daily life?” Keep reading. Much is to be understood about the issues of submission and equality in the functioning of the Godhead. In the creation of the world we read that the Father spoke , the Son carried out the decree and the Spirit manifested God's presence on the earth. In redemption we see that the Father planned redemption, the Son accomplished the plan and redemption was/is applied through the Spirit. The Son submits to the will of the Father and the Spirit submits to the will of the Father in supporting the Son. But each is considered equally and fully God. There is much we could learn from this example of submission with equality. In the home, each person plays a distinctive role in the life of the family, yet there is equality. In the church, each member contributes according to their distinct giftedness, but there is equality among the believers. Sadly, we attach greater value and importance to the roles given authority. In the Trinity this is not so. In the Trinity each person has a distinct responsibility necessary for the full functioning of the Godhead. How could the Father redeem without the Son and how could redemption be complete without the Spirit. Indeed, a family inside the home or church is not complete without the full participation of all members making each equal in importance. In conclusion, the doctrine of the Trinity is of utmost importance because is gives mankind the blueprint for how he is to live: unity in diversity. How often we fail to appreciate the differences of individuals. Instead, we attempt to force them into conforming to our image. When this does not happen men react with disunity. Not so with the Godhead where three distinct persons operate with such unity that it is impossible to make a separation. |
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