I sat in church this morning and was reminded why the Trinity mattered. Not because the sermon was about the Trinity because it wasn’t. As Steve Lacy preached he reminded us of how important it is to know truth for yourself. How often do we accept “truth” from someone else without going to the source and finding out for ourselves?
Last week I started a series birthed from a single passage of Scripture I was wrestling with. As I began to break down the Scripture, I discovered the fundamental doctrines buried within the passage. I realized just how important it is for us to dig a little deeper. Sure, we’ve been taught the Trinity and yes, the Trinity is a lot to try to understand or explain. However, we need to know for ourselves why we believe what we believe.
Let’s look at our passage from last week:
Now the Lord is the Holy Spirit. And where the Spirit of the Lord is, freedom is also there. None of our faces are covered with a veil. All of us can see the Lord’s glory and think deeply about it. So we are being changed to become more like him so that we have more and more glory. And this glory comes from the Lord, who is the Holy Spirit.—2 Corinthians 3:17-18
The Holy Spirit
In last week’s post we unearthed the importance of Jesus as the second part of the Trinity. Today, we’re going to dive into the third part of the Trinity—the Holy Spirit.
I would be arrogant and foolish to suggest I could sufficiently explain how God can dwell in 3 person and 3 persons dwell as one God. Its mind-blowing and outside the scope of my human brain.
What I want us to understand and see is the sameness of the Spirit with God Himself. They cannot be divided. The Holy Spirit is God and Lord Himself.
The start of our passage states it plainly “Now the Lord is the Holy Spirit.” (2 Cor. 3:17)
Let’s look at other evidences of the Spirit’s equality with God the Father.
“But Peter said, ‘Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?…You have not lied to men but to God.’” —Acts 5:3-4
“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.”—Psalm 139:7
“…how much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God…”—Hebrews 9:14
“…no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.”—1 Corinthians 2:11
The Holy Spirit perfectly completes the Trinity as one God in three distinct persons—Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
[Tweet “The Holy Spirit perfectly completes the Trinity as one God in three distinct persons—Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”]
Application:
In next week’s post we’ll move on to the next portion of our 2 Corinthians passage to the liberty and freedom that happens because of the Spirit’s presence.
Today, I want to make an application to us as to the benefit of God’s Spirit. When Jesus’ disciples fretted over His departure from earth back to heaven, Jesus promised them a comforter (John 14:26). In some translations you will find the Holy Spirit described as “Friend” (NIrV), “Advocate” (NIV), and “Counselor” (HCSB). These descriptions alone confirm to me Jesus’ assurance to His disciples that if He did not go they would not have the benefit of the Spirit.
Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send Him to you.—John 16:7 (HCSB)
The Spirit of God is for our benefit. The Spirit of God is ever-present.
[Tweet “The Spirit of God is for our benefit. The Spirit of God is ever-present.”]
Just this morning I laid in my bed cuddling with my 7-year-old girl who snuck in with me before going downstairs. She began to tell me she had had nightmares. As we talked, I was reminded of the most important truth I could share with her.
God gave us His Spirit so we could experience His presence with us. As followers of Jesus, we don’t have to be afraid, anxious or alone because the Spirit resides in us. He is bigger and stronger than our greatest fear or worry.
[Tweet “God gave us His Spirit so we could experience His presence with us.”]
The Spirit of God is present. He is near and He is safe.
God gifted us with His Spirit to be our friend, our counselor, and our advocate.
I’m overwhelmed with the meaning associated with the Trinity. The doctrine of the Trinity matters. It matters for us to understand our position as the recipients of such great a gift.
How have you experienced the third part of the Trinity at work in you? What does it mean for you knowing the Creator God provided for you with His Spirit?
