THE ONLY LIVING, TRIUNE GOD
Carey Madding
Today’s Scripture: “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:4-6, ESV
Theme: The Holy Spirit is part of the Triune God, not a created being.
IN THE BEGINNING
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters” (Genesis 1:1-2, ESV). The Father God was there from before the beginning of the world. The Spirit was there, hovering, maybe even protecting, and empowering creation. He was not a vague mist, but part of the Trinity, participating in the foundation of the earth. He was there, not as a force or an object, but as a third Person or entity.
Jesus was also present. He was crucial to creation. The first chapter of John says: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. … And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:1-3,14 ESV).
Throughout all eternity, there has been, and will be, One God. Deuteronomy 6:4 (ESV) says, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” Yet we see from the very beginning, there are three Persons to the One God.
AT THE BAPTISM
At the baptism of Jesus by John, the three Persons of the Trinity are all seen independently, doing separate things and in different ways. Jesus had a body of flesh and blood. The heavens were rolled back, and the Spirit of God was seen “descending like a dove and coming to rest on him.” The voice of God was heard “from heaven” - not from the “dove” or from Jesus, but separately. They inhabited three different “spaces” at that time. This is important: They are not One God who appears and operates in diverse ways at separate times. Meaning, God the Father did not come to earth and operate for a time as Jesus, then return to heaven, but return yet again in the mode of the Spirit.
IN MY LIFE
Because God is love, He set in motion a plan to rescue me (and you) the very minute the first sinful act came into the world. Daily, I am saved and constantly redeemed by the work of Jesus on the cross. Hourly (when I am willing), I am led by the Spirit to operate in His gifts, to gain His understanding, and be encouraged. He is with me; He teaches me, rebukes me, and empowers me. In my life, the work of the Spirit and the Trinity is ongoing and active.
Make It Personal: The Holy Spirit and the Trinity are both mysterious and mysteries that we may never understand before we stand in heaven. That does not mean they are not real. The Spirit interacts with us as often as we allow. Even when I sometimes resist, His gentle conviction or encouragement is undeniable. Listen for the voice of God the Spirit today.
Pray: Father God, thank You for Your only Son and His rescue of my life. Thank You for the Spirit, who is with me always, leading me in Your paths, and empowering me to walk in the Way. Help me to be ever respectful, attentive, and appreciative of the Spirit’s work in my life. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Additional Reading: John 1:1-18; :2 Corinthians 1:21-22
Weekly Memory Verse: If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:25 (ESV)