Don Stewart :: How Can Understanding the Doctrine of the Trinity Affect the Way We Live the Christian Life?

How Can Understanding the Doctrine of the Trinity Affect the Way We Live the Christian Life?

The Trinity: One God in Three Persons – Question 3

Often we have the idea that the doctrine of the Trinity is not very practical. Indeed, many of us think that the Trinity is something that is only discussed among boring theologians who use technical theological expressions and obscure Latin and Greek terms. The entire subject seems irrelevant for daily Christian living.

However, nothing could be further from the truth. The doctrine of the Trinity is not only vital for Christian belief it is also important to our practical Christian living. This is crucial for us to appreciate. Understanding that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are the same essence has a number of practical benefits. A number of points need to be made about this truth. They are as follows:

1. Understanding the Trinity Should Bring Great Security to the Believer

The doctrine of the Trinity should be a source of security for those who believe in Jesus. For one thing, the members of the Trinity are not only one in essence they are also one in purpose. The tri-personal God of Scripture is interconnected. Indeed, the three members of the Holy Trinity love one another and work with one another in complete unity and harmony. Thus, we will never have to worry that one member of the Trinity will have motives and plans different from the other members.

Consequently, we will not have to be concerned that the love God has for us will somehow be unequal. This should bring a sense of great security to the believer. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are working together with each believer to accomplish our salvation and to guide us in our daily living. In point of fact, Jesus promised that He would never lose any one of those sheep who are His. He said,

“My sheep respond to my voice, and I know who they are. They follow me, and I give them eternal life. They will never be lost, and no one will tear them away from me. My Father, who gave them to me, is greater than everyone else, and no one can tear them away from my Father. The Father and I are one.” (John 10:27-30 God’s Word)

The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are working together so that the believer will never be lost. The Good Shepherd has seen to that.

2. The Trinity Is a Model for Loving Others

The doctrine of the Trinity also provides a model for believers loving one another. From the Bible we find that the three members of the Trinity, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have loved each other from all eternity. As God, their love is perfect. This mutual love among the members of the Trinity allows them to work together in complete harmony. Indeed, we are told that the members of the Trinity actually submit themselves to one another.

For example, when He was here upon the earth, Jesus testified that He did not come to do His own will but rather that of God the Father. John records Him saying,

“For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.” (John 6:38 NIV)

In the same manner, the Holy Spirit was sent to do the work of the Father and the Son. Jesus said the following to His disciples:

“I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.” (John 16:12-15 NIV)

This love should serve as an example to each and every one us.

Jesus told His disciples to love one another as He had loved them. He said,

I’m giving you a new commandment: Love each other in the same way that I have loved you. Everyone will know that you are my disciples because of your love for each other.” (John 13:34-35 God’s Word)

The mark of the Christian should be the love we have one for another. This love is perfectly demonstrated among the members of the Holy Trinity. They are to be our example.

The Apostle Paul echoed the same thought. We should be concerned with the things of others. He wrote,

Don’t be concerned only about your own interests, but also be concerned about the interests of others. (Philippians 2:4 God’s Word)

Again, we have another example of how understanding the doctrine of the Trinity can lead to practical Christian living. The doctrine of the Trinity is certainly not irrelevant.

Summary – Question 3
How Can Understanding the Doctrine of the Trinity Affect the Way We Live the Christian Life?

The Trinity doctrine is not only essential to the truth of the Christian faith it also tremendously helpful in a practical sense. This can be seen in a number of ways.

For one thing, there is complete unity and harmony among the members of the Trinity. Since the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not three separate gods, we do not have to be concerned that they may have different purposes. They will never disagree with one another or have differing agendas. Therefore, we can rest assured in the promises of God and in the fact that God’s program is going forward as He has planned. Knowing this should instill confidence in us.

Furthermore, the members of the Trinity serve as an example to us in the way in which they love one another. We are to pattern our love for each other after their love. Sometimes their love causes them to submit their will to another member of the Godhead. In the same manner, we should, at times, submit our will to that of others.

Therefore, the doctrine of the Trinity is not something irrelevant as far as our daily lives are concerned. Indeed, it provides for us practical examples on how we are to conduct our lives.