The Trinity in action
Did you know that there are some words common to Christian discussions, which are not found in the Scriptures? Two examples include the words “Atheism” and “Bible”. Try to find them in a concordance (a dictionary-type book that alphabetically lists all words used in the Scriptures), and you won’t find them. However, the concept of both Atheistic beliefs and the collection of God-inspired books forming the Bible are clearly taught within God’s Word.
Atheistic beliefs:
Psalm 14:1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
God inspires the Bible:
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Another Christian term that critics like to point out as being “un-Biblical” because it is not found in the Bible is the word Trinity. Many believers struggle to understand, let alone explain, the concept of a 3-person/1-being God. God has always been “one” in direction, purpose, and essence.
Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
However, we do find throughout Scripture that each person – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit – are identified as God (Galatians 1:1, Titus 2:13, Romans 8:14), and each person relates to the others in specific, unique roles and actions (John 15:26, Hebrews 9:14, 1 Peter 1:3). There are many other Scripture references that could be used to further these points, but the ones cited are a good starting place.
While we may not fully understand all the particulars of how God is like this, we can certainly recognize the Trinity when we see it in action. Paul brings up the concept of the Trinity as he instructs Titus to teach the Cretans. Look for the actions of each member:
Titus 3:4-6 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior
When we read these verses, we find that Paul refers to both God the Father and Jesus Christ as Savior and also states that it is the actions performed by the Holy Spirit that saved us. The fullness of the Godhead, all three persons of the Trinity, were involved with our rescue from the penalty of our sinful living.
You can easily tell the importance of a project based upon the rank of the one who leads it. A project led by a Manager has a different emphasis from a project personally led by the CEO. Given that all three members of the Trinity participated in our salvation…the value that God placed on us and our rescue cannot be understated.
God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit acted in concert to redeem us, and not because of righteous things we had done, but because of [God’s] mercy.
When I stop, take a deep breath, and let that one truth sink in…it blows my mind. Literally makes my head hurt. I struggle to fathom it. It’s almost too good to be true, right?
Gifts are like that. Spend some time thinking about it, you’ll be glad you did. When you’ve fully wrestled with it, when you’ve accepted his gift that none of us deserve, there’s only one thing left to say:
“Thank you.”
Keep Pressing,
Ken