Ephesians 1:3-14 is a beautiful and rich statement of praise to the Holy Trinity. Ephesians is about God’s ultimate plans for all of humanity and Paul opens this letter with a statement of praise for all the good works of God. This opening section is broken into three parts around the three persons of the Trinity. Verses 3-6 focus upon how God-the-Father has blessed us, then verses 7-12 focuses upon how God-the-Son has blessed us, and then the section closes with verses 13-14 and how God-the-Spirit has blessed us.
I have always heard Christians devalue the importance of the Trinity. Most roll their eyes thinking that discussions about the Trinity are worthless theological mumbo jumbo. Before you foolishly roll your eyes take into account that WHAT God is first and foremost is Trinity. God exists as three persons, yet God is one and Christianity is monotheistic. We believe in one God, but this one God exists as three persons. If you are wrong on this issue then you have countless problems in countless areas including your salvation. If Jesus was not fully God then your salvation is worthless because He was not a perfect sacrifice for your sins. You cannot be a Christian without having a right view of the Trinity.
We will see the different roles and works of the three persons as we go through, but I want to share a few brief passages about the Trinity. The ancient creedal statement of the Old Testament is Deuteronomy 6:4 which says, “The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” When talking about the creation of humanity, God says to Himself, “Let us make man in our image” in Genesis 1:26. Our very Great Commission says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). You cannot be obedient to the Great Commission if you don’t believe and generally understand the Trinity. The Bible is very clear that God is one, but that He exists as three distinct persons.
Over a few posts I will unpack some ways that God has blessed us based upon Ephesians 1:3-14. God is to be praised and in order to praise Him properly we must understand Him properly. May God be glorified in your life and may you embrace all of who He is, and not just the aspects of Him that you like.
5 comments:
Ok, I have to comment on the trinity, cause I have a tattoo on my wrist of the trinity---
The trinity is truly a discussion worth spending a great deal of time during this "Normal Christian life." Working with this 'trinity' idea, how much is the trinity concept woven into the fabric of true community? Lately, I am thinking/Reading about how God invites us into this living community, the Trinity, and directs us toward the Church to play out the Trinity.
One other question: Do you really think not knowing the 'right' concept of the trinity keeps one from being apart of the Family?
Much love, my brother-- your offspring is beautiful. Good thing she takes after you wife:)
your brotha' from another motha'
The Pub
Thank you for your continued posts, it is good to hear your thoughts.
Right on, the main application of the Trinity into our daily lives and the life of the Church is in regards to Community. After unpacking theological truth about the Trinity, Moultmon also thinks this is the important thing to learn from the Trinity and makes a big argument for socialism. Although Communism and Socialism never works, authentic Christian community within the Church is God's dream for the Church and is to be the picture of the eschaton (all things united under Christ)
Why would one who has a heretical understanding of God (the Trinity) be considered a Christian? This, of course, is to be tempered with maturity because we can never fully understand God; but it one believes that Jesus is not God then our salvation is worthless, or if one believes that Jesus was just praying to Himself and not doing the will of the Father then we lose the example of being like Christ means to do the will of the Father.
Keep posting,
I whole heartly agree with you. If Christ is not the climax of the story then we have no salvation and maybe do not need salvation. However, knowledge never saves, right? I guess in my mind its less about knowing the right thing and more about seeking truth. But I know I could be way off..
Here is my struggle with the church and the trinity.
God Creates. God sends the flood. God invites. God commands. God shows favor. God invites. God sends Jesus. The Trinity is seen. God invites. Jesus Dies. Jesus lives. Jesus sits Down.
Basic run down of the story of God. The Trinity is inviting to live as co-creators with God. Its less about the final judgement and more about an invitation to live out Genesis 12:1-2.
I realize this might not pertain to you last post, but maybe it does--- i think I have been without sleep way to long.
The Pub
Thank you for your good comments. Sorry I have been slow responding to them.
I would like to respond to the comment "knowledge never saves". Knowledge does indeed save. The knowledge of how to do proper breathing techniques saved my wife some pain after the epidural did not take. The knowledge of how to do heart bi-pass surgery and how to put in a stint has saved my father's life. Knowledge of how to have a right relationship with God enables us to be forgiven of our sins and enter into heaven upon death instead of entering into hell.
Of course we must experience that grace that God offers. No one is saying that we should have some sort of cold orthodoxy, but with out certain orthodox truth (knowledge) we are unable to be right with God.
The Christian life is not simply about good intentions, it is about knowing the right truth and embracing it. Knowledge is a key component to the process, but knowledge alone only puffs up.
Micah, How are you and Kristen and Mason? I am sure that he has grown up a lot since your last post! I haven't seen you all in forever...but I thought I would check in and see if there were any new pics of the Caswell Fam. I hope that all is well! God Bless!
Post a Comment