The Essence of God

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Matthew 3: 16 – 17

We hear these words often: “Glory be to God, the Father; and to the Son; and to the Holy Ghost.”  What a great God we worship. One beyond our understanding in so many ways.

One of His greatest mysteries has to be the concept of the “Trinity”. We accept it as one of God’s truths to us, but yet, we wonder and question, “How can there be 3 gods, yet 1?  Three separate entities in 1 God?” 

There is clearly nothing in nature or life that we can relate it to, although many have tried with such simplistic explanations as a man can be a son, a father, and a grandfather. Three distinct roles in one being. But in all we know about God’s true nature, this analogy doesn’t begin to offer understanding of His divine essence.

The term “Trinity” is not found in Scripture, although in such verses as this one from Matthew, we are given a clear visual image of the three: God, His Son, and His Holy Spirit. Just as we do with so many things about God, we accept this truth on faith and are grateful for the grace to do so.

From the beginning and throughout the Old and New Testaments, we read of the greatness of God as the Creator and Sustainer of life. We learn of His eternal plan to send His Son, Jesus Christ, to earth to live among us, to teach us about loving and serving others, and to give us His saving grace. Believing Jesus is our Savior and Lord, the true Son of God, is the cornerstone of our Christian faith.

We also recognize and believe that God lives in us with His loving, encouraging presence in the form of the Holy Spirit. Since our loving God knew how difficult and painful this life could be, He sends His Spirit to give us the power to do things we could never do on our own.

God, the Father; God, the Son; and God, the Holy Spirit. All three make up the essence of God, but yet, all are distinct from each other. Each one has a separate function, but not a separate essence.

The mysteries of God – what an amazing, sovereign being who gives us all we need to live a life on this earth filled with His assurance and the hope of eternal life to come.

 Prayer

Our most sovereign and almighty God, we thank you for your presence with us. Thank you for the gift of life and for being our Father who pours down His love and grace upon us. Thank you for your Son who gave His life to redeem us, and for your Holy Spirit who lives in us to give us your strength, comfort, and peace. Amen