September 21, 2015
Practical Implications of the Trinity
[intro]We believe in one God in three distinct persons: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – each of whom possesses all the attributes of Deity and characteristics of personality but distinct in roles and responsibilities.[/intro]
One God in three persons? How can that be?
While this truth may be hard to grasp and will never be fully understood by us as finite humans, the doctrine of the Trinity shows us much regarding how God exists and how we are to exist as his image-bearers in a fallen world.
God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit exist in perfect fellowship with one another and show us the relational nature in which we were made in his image. Being image-bearers of God, we were created to be in community and relationship with others.
“As we see the harmony expressed amidst differing roles and responsibilities among the members of the Trinity, we should seek the same kind of harmony as we acknowledge the various varying gifting and activities within the body of Christ.” – Dr. Bruce Ware*
Unity and Diversity
Have you ever heard a group sing in three-part harmony? Each person is singing the same song, reading the same music on the same page. However, each voice sings a different part, and when sung together, there is an incredible fullness and melody that one alone could not accomplish.
The Trinity exemplifies perfect unity while not being uniform. This unity shows three different roles, working together perfectly, while loving and respecting the other. Each person of the Trinity has unique roles and diversity in how they work, yet they are still one.
The church body is similar in how God designed all of with diverse gifts and talents. The church is a body with many parts, and when the family of believers leads and serves within their gifting, the church thrives and grows. The apostle Paul discussed this in his letter to the Corinthians:
But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. – 1 Corinthians 12:18-20
Authority and Submission
We don’t like these two words do we? Authority in our culture is something people despise, and submission is thought of as a way to win a mixed-martial arts fight. No wonder we don’t like these words!
But the Bible talks of authority and submission within the Trinity as a good thing. Our Triune God exercises authority and submission in a perfect way, and shows us the beauty of how this can be done in relationships.
The Holy Spirit submits to Christ, Christ submits to God the Father. While all are still equally God, the authority and submission within the relationship show how God functions in separate ways. This picture of loving authority and willing submission is how God desires his children to live in the world within culture, the church and marriage relationships.
All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. – John 6:37-39
Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. – John 16:7
While the doctrine of the Trinity may be difficult to grasp, we should be thankful we have a God who is bigger and broader than what we can ever imagine. Our one God, exists in three persons, and desires to be in relationship with us.
Reginald Heber wrote a hymn in the late 1800’s describing the beauty of the Trinity.
Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise thy name in earth and sky and sea;
Holy, Holy, Holy! Merciful and Mighty!
God in Three Persons, blessed Trinity!
This has been excerpted from the book Credo. Download a copy, or get a physical copy for free at your venue’s info center!
*Ware, Bruce A., Father, Son, & Holy Spirit: Relationships, Roles and Relevance. p.132
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