Trinitarian Grace

Ephesians 1:3-14

We worship one God in the trinity, or tri-unity, of his sacred Persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and adore each as the God of all grace by whom we are saved.

Bible Doctrine

The Bible clearly teaches the doctrine of the Trinity. I have read numerous, excellent theological works on the trinity; but I have never read anything that states the doctrine more simply and clearly than 1 John 5:7 - "There are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." God the Father is God (Rom. 1:7). God the Son is God (Heb. 1:8). God the Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5:3-4). Yet, there is but one God (Deut. 6:4). The Father is all the fulness of the Godhead invisible (John 1:18). The Son is all the fulness of the Godhead revealed (Col. 2:9). The Spirit is all the fulness of the Godhead acting immediately upon the creature (1 Cor. 2:9-10). We worship the triune God.

Equal in Grace

All three Persons in the eternal Godhead are equally gracious. This is what Paul shows us in Ephesians 1:3-14. As the three Persons of the Godhead are equal in divinity but distinct in personality, so all three Persons in the Godhead are equal in grace but distinct in the operations of grace. God the Father is the Fountain of Grace (Eph. 1:3-6). God the Son is the Mediator of Grace (Eph. 1:7-12). God the Holy Spirit is the Administrator of Grace (Eph. 1:13-14).

Inspires Unity

No doctrine in the Bible more forcibly inspires unity among true believers than the doctrine of the Trinity. Every thought about the triune God should stimulate in us a fervent desire that we may be one even as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are one (John 17:20-22).

"Who can think of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit as one - one in nature, one in love, one in purpose - and not hope for the day when the intercessory prayer of Christ will be answered in the union of all his followers?" (J. M. Pendleton).

Let us earnestly devote ourselves, as the sons and daughters of the triune God, to unity. Oh, that we might be one in purpose, seeking the glory of God, one in labor, serving the cause of Christ, and one in heart, loving one another with pure hearts fervently!

Amen.