Our Triune God
Does the doctrine of the Trinity make you think of some theologian or Bible scholar speaking fancy words? Well, I got news for you. The doctrine of the Trinity is not just something in our confession of faith. It is the way God reveals Himself to us in His Word. Even more important it’s the foundation of our salvation, our fellowship with God, and our daily comfort as Christians. Every believer already depends upon the Trinity every single day, whether recognizing it or not.
Our Confession of Faith teaches, there is one true and living God who eternally exists as three distinct Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They are one God, each Person possesses the whole divine nature. That is why we may call each one God. The Father is fully God. The Son is fully God. The Holy Spirit is fully God. They possess the same divine power and the same eternal nature. They are one in essence in three Persons. Does that not blow your mind? We can not expect finite people to fully comprehend an infinite God. There are some things we will not understand until we stand before Him.
Now, God has not called us to understand everything about Him. However, we are to believe what He has revealed about Himself. That is exactly what faith does. We do not try to improve upon God's revelation with clever illustrations or human reasoning. Instead, we humbly receive what He has spoken in His Word. God revealed Himself as one God who eternally exists in three distinct Persons.
We see the Trinity at work in redemption, think about it. Before the beginning of time, the Father lovingly chose to save a people for His own glory. This was not an afterthought. It was His eternal plan from the beginning. Every believer's salvation begins with the gracious purpose of God the Father. Then, at the right time, God the Son willingly came into this world. Taking on our human nature without ceasing to be God. 100% God and 100% Man living the perfect life we could not. He willingly bore all of God’s wrath on the cross that we deserved. He was buried, and on the third day He rose again in victory over sin, death. Everything necessary for our salvation was accomplished by Jesus Christ.
Yet, the story does not stop there. Then Holy Spirit, He takes what Christ accomplished and puts it in the hearts of God's people. He opens blind eyes, He softens hearts of stone, He grants repentance and faith. He indwells every believer, seals us as God's own possession, comforts us in our trials, teaches us the truth, and faithfully sanctifies us throughout our lives. The same Holy Spirit who gives us new life also gives us the strength to persevere until we safely arrive home.
Do you see the beauty of that? The Father planned our salvation. The Son purchased our salvation. The Holy Spirit applies our salvation. They are never working independently of one another. They never disagree. They never compete for glory. Everything they do is carried out in perfect unity because they are the one true and living God. Beloved, this is why the doctrine of the Trinity is so precious to the believer. It reminds us that our salvation rests completely upon God's perfect work from beginning to end.
When you pray, you are coming to your Heavenly Father through the finished work of His Son, while the Holy Spirit helps you pray according to the will of God. When you worship, you are worshiping the Father, through the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit. When you read the Word, the Holy Spirit opens your mind to understand and know Christ whom the Father sent.
Even when you face suffering, the Trinity is your comfort. The Father continues to sovereignly rule over every circumstance. The Son continues to intercede for you as your perfect High Priest. The Holy Spirit continues to dwell within you, strengthening you to persevere through every trial. You are never alone. The Triune God who saved you is the same God who preserves you. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith explains the doctrine of the Trinity, in similar fashion. Then it concludes by saying that this “is the foundation of all our fellowship with God and of our comforting dependence on Him."
Loved ones, I love this statement because it reminds us that theology is never meant to remain only in our minds. True doctrine always leads us to deeper worship, greater assurance, stronger faith, and sweeter fellowship with our God. The more we understand who God is, the more we trust Him. The more we trust Him, the more we love Him. The more we love Him, the more we desire to obey Him.
One day our faith will become sight. The mysteries of faith that we do not understand now. Will one day be revealed, this will only increase our worship. As we forever stand before the throne and “Worship God.” Praising God the Father, God the Son and God the son. Not three separate God’s, but one glorious God, worthy of honor, praise, and worship forever.
Therefore, let us not think of the doctrine of the Trinity as merely a difficult subject to study. Instead, let us rejoice that the God who has revealed Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit has also revealed Himself as the God who saves sinners, keeps His children, and will never leave nor forsake His people. That is not only sound doctrine. That is wonderful comfort for every child of God. So then, Brothers and Sisters, with this mind, stay Bold in the Lord and Strong in His Word.
