We Believe in the Eternal Triune God
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14 (NIV)
We believe in the Eternal Triune God. In this short statement, we have two concepts that present challenges to understand, and even more so, to explain. Everything within our experience has a beginning and an end. We must accept eternity by faith.
The triune God is no less a mystery to us. The hymn exclaims, “God in three persons, blessed Trinity.” The word Trinity does not occur in the Bible, but the evidence is compelling. Before his ascension, Jesus said: Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19 (NLT)
Oneness, and yet Threeness. All of the attempts to illustrate the concept of the Trinity fall short. A. W. Tozer expressed the dilemma: “I am a unitarian in that I believe in the unity of God. I am a trinitarian in that I believe in the trinity of God. And they’re not contrary one to the other.”
Even though we are very convinced of the triune nature of God, it is possible to have empathy for those who have focused on the Oneness of God. The 3 persons of the Godhead operate in such perfect unity and harmony that it is impossible to detect a separation. There has never been a 2-1 split decision. Moving so closely together, there is never any disunity or disagreement. There are no relationships on earth that come close. Beyond acceptance of the doctrine, what does the triune God have to teach us?
The Model for Unity
May they all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us, so that the world may believe you sent me. John 17:21 (CSB)
Down through the ages, countless time and money have been expended in the search for effective ways and techniques to evangelize our world. We accept the Great Commission but are at a loss as to how to best fulfill our mandate. Studies have been conducted, academic theses have been written, but it is the Godhead that gives us the most effective model to reach this world with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Unity in the body of Christ is the best evidence and example to the world that will convince the world of the validity of our gospel message. Dr. Stephen Seamands, Professor Emeritus at Asbury Theological Seminary, expresses the theological implications for unity and ministry:
“Christian ministry is shaped by a Trinitarian understanding, and the church was created in the image of the Triune God for relationship, thus characterizing the inner life of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Like the Trinity, relatedness is characterized by full equality, glad submission, joyful intimacy and mutual deference.”
Each day we should look to the relationship model provided for us in the Trinity to be our inspiration and reminder of how the world will be won. It will not be with persuasive arguments of intellect, but from a demonstration of love that is not seen anywhere apart from those who have been transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ. Remember what Jesus said: Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:35 (NLT)
Keep… Until
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace… until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:3,11 (NIV)
While we recognize the value of unity, sometimes it seems out of reach. The triune Godhead is perfectly united and in harmony. But as we look around us, and even in our own hearts, we realize just how far we have to go to achieve this unity. Around the world, there are tens of thousands of separate faith groups. Many believe they have exclusivity on the truth.
If the unity of the spirit is our goal, what can we do to break down barriers and remove obstacles that stand in our way? Obviously, some things are nonnegotiable. Without them, we do not have enough common ground for unity. But how many differences are petty and trivial, and will be forgotten when we see our Lord face-to-face?
It might be easy to be united when the cost is low, but the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit agreed when the stakes couldn’t be higher. Paul reminds us: He did not even spare his own Son but gave him up for us all. Romans 8:32 (CSB). Isaiah is even more graphic: But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. Isaiah 53:10 (NLT)
We should draw strength and encouragement from the example of the triune God. It is our challenge to keep the unity of the Spirit until we all reach unity in the faith.
Role models
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Philippians 2:5 (NLT)
Everyone needs a role model. Multiple role models are even better. In Philippians 2, Paul begins by urging his readers to love each other and be united. Eugene Peterson paraphrases:
If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care—then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Philippians 2:1–2 (MSG)
Perhaps you have never thought of the triune God as our role model before. Or better yet, our role models. Biblical doctrine is mainly him useful when it impacts the way we live our lives. We can come to this conclusion: when we truly believe in the eternal triune God it will be demonstrated by the way we love one another.
Steve Ekeroth
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