The Doctrine of the Trinity and What it Means to Me

The doctrine of the Trinity can be a totally confusing concept. One in three? Three in one? Three distinct persons? But one God? Don’t get discouraged. As a matter of fact, intellectuals, theologians, and church fathers have all been struggling with the issue of the Trinity for about two thousand years. The concept hasn’t gotten any easier over time, and God hasn’t changed at all. What is the doctrine of the Trinity? Why is it important? As you engage in college evangelism, the issue of the Trinity will come up. In the day of Internet student evangelism, Internet student ministries, and postmodern questions of reality, why should we even bother believing in the Trinity, let alone explaining it?

What is the doctrine of the Trinity?

The doctrine of the Trinity is the orthodox Christian doctrine regarding the identity of the person of God. The doctrine of the Trinity states that God is One, yet He is also three distinct persons. These three persons are labeled as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each of the three Persons is God. Each member of the Trinity is eternal. Each member of the trinity is equal to the other.

What’s the big deal about the Trinity?

Belief in the doctrine of the Trinity is important to have a truly orthodox faith. Even though the word “trinity” doesn’t actually appear in a chapter and verse, its truth is all over the pages of our Bibles. God is referred to in the plural (Genesis 1:26; 3:22). The Father, Spirit, Son, appear individually at the same time (Matthew 3:16-17). Each person of the Godhead is referred to in various passages (e.g., Matthew 28:19). Since the Trinity is a biblical doctrine, it’s a big deal.

In addition, believing in the doctrine of the Trinity is a big deal simply for the legitimacy of our faith. On the one hand, if we don’t believe in the tri of the “tri-unity,” we have no confidence in a Savior who died, a Spirit who sustains, and a God who created. However, if we fail to believe the unity of the tri-unity, than we have a multideistic religion, and confusion over who to worship and how to conduct ourselves.

How do I understand the Trinity?

There are some who think that comprehending the Trinity requires a herculean effort of the intellect. Others think that some clever analogy will help them get to that “aha!” moment of finally grasping the elusive erudition of Trinitarian cogitation. Whether it’s an egg, the states of water, or a triangle, people try to grasp the concept of a three-in-one God through different pictures. Forget it. You’ll never completely understand it. Systematic theologian Millard Erickson admitted after seventeen pages of scholarly writing: “In the final analysis, the Trinity is incomprehensible” (Systematic, 363). This does not mean that we deny it. Nor does it mean that we don’t try to understand it better. It simply means that our finite human minds are not capable of comprehending the infinite mind of God. That is reason to glory in our great God—the blessed Trinity.

As someone once said,
Try to explain it, and you’ll lose your mind;
But try to deny it, and you’ll lose your soul.

Jesus’ Purpose

Jesus came to earth for one purpose: to glorify God by offering Himself as a sacrifice to reconcile God’s people to Himself. That is the only reason why Christ came to earth: so we could be in a relationship with Him and with the Father.

This is what we were created for: to glorify God. In the beginning we were in perfect relationship, but we dug a great trench by means of our sin, and Jesus died so that we could come back into a relationship with the Father, and be with Him forever.

John 3:16-17 says, “God loved us in this way, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.”

The passage goes on to talk about judgment and redemption Catch this missing part of most of our John 3:16 evangelism: “He who belives in Him is not judged, he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifesting as having been wrought in God.”

Picture this: the Lord of the Rings orcs, fleeing from the light of Gandalf’s staff. Or how the cover of darkness proceeds them because they do not want to come into the light. Like cockroaches fleeing from the beams of a flashlight or the burning light of a lamp. So are those who remain in the world. They hate the light. Why? Because it reveals truth, it reveals who they are, it reveals their sin and their selfishness. It reveals the vileness of the world.

But the passage goes deeper and darker than the images of lovers of darkness fleeing from the light. It talks about judgment. Those who hate the light will be judged, and those who love it will be given mercy.

Christians this is a dark image. Most of our world will hide from the light. Most of the world will be judged because they did not come to the Light that is Jesus. It’s what the Bible says.

So what’s the solution? Well, what was Jesus’ purpose? “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.” Christians, that was His purpose, if we desire to be conformed to His image, should that not be our purpose as well? Save the world, ladies and gentlemen, and do it through being faithful to Jesus commands–do it through going into the world and spreading the good news of Jesus’ sacrifice–do it through making disciples of all nations.

The Great Commission

Matthew 28: 18-20 says this, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

This is the Great Commission, the final words of Jesus Christ, Go and make disciples of all the nations. This is not a request, not a recommendation, this is a command. If we love Jesus, we obey His commands, if we obey His commands, we are out making disciples of all nations, both the one we reside in and those abroad. The entire world is our oyster, folks. The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.

We are responsible for the fulfillment of the Great Commission, we are responsible for making SURE that the ENTIRE world knows who Christ is, and has had the opportunity to choose Him.

This is the question: Are you obeying Jesus? Are you out on the mission, making disciples? This is Jesus’ final command, and it carries a heavy weight. This is our mission as Christians: to make disciples of the world, baptizing them in the name of the FATHER, the SON, and the HOLY SPIRIT, and teaching them to observe all that Jesus commanded.

Are you making disciples? Are you obeying the commands of Jesus? Or are you living in disobedience and in action. Lying their on your couch, just going to Bible studies and church and not DOING what Christ commanded? Do you have faith but no works? If you do, I would strongly urge you to fix your ways. Do not sow disobedience and laziness, get out there and do what we were commanded to do. Go and make disciples, teach them to obey God and do just as you are.

John 15 talks about being fruitful, James 2:14-26 talks about having faith & works, Matthew 13:1-23 talks about the parable of the sower–all the sower did was spread the word. That is our responsibility. Mark 5 talks about Jesus casting a Legion of demons from a man, and what did Jesus tell that man to do? “Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.”

Why would we be any different from the demoniac? So go, obey your King, hold fast to his commands and make disciples of the nations, just as the demoniac did, just as the sower did, and just as Jesus did.

5 Ways Accepting Jesus Can Improve Your Life

“What’s in it for me?” I must confess that’s the question I am sometimes tempted to ask before I make a decision. If I am going to choose something, it needs to improve my life, enhance my enjoyment of life, or somehow make me a better person.

It may be easy to think about Jesus in the same way. How is He going to help? Is Jesus just some ethereal being, minding His own business in heaven? Does He really have a tangible benefit for the rough-and-tumble of my daily life? Let’s ask the question. Let’s see if accepting Jesus can really improve your life.

Jesus actually gives you new life.

Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4).

According to the Bible, you’re dead unless you have Jesus. Seriously, check it out (Ephesians 2:1). It’s more than an analogy. It’s a spiritual reality. The only way to gain new life is to accept Jesus. “New Life?” That’s more than just improving your life. That’s the beginning of life —-new life-— spiritual life.

Jesus causes you to fulfill your whole goal in life.

Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

The Bible makes it clear that every believer’s goal in life is to glorify God. The only way to do so is to accept Jesus into your life. Think about goals for a minute. Accomplishing goals is the only thing that gives life real purpose. The believer has a goal—glorifying God. Accepting Jesus, God’s only son, is the only way you can achieve this goal. Pray to Jesus and ask Him to help you glorify God.

Jesus is the reason you can come to God.

For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5).

(Jesus): I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me. (John 14:6)

There is little dispute over whether or not God can improve one’s life. But the only way to get to God in the first place is through Jesus Christ. As we mentioned above, accepting Jesus is the only way to glorify God. However, there is more to it than that. Jesus is the only way to God. Do you pray to Jesus? You should, because He is the only way to God. Come to God through Jesus.

Jesus totally cleans up your life.

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace (Ephesians 1:7).

Life can get complicated, dirty, and rather unpleasant. Most of the time it’s our own fault. It’s sinful choices: bad decisions, self-centered living, and prideful actions that create a mess of life. Jesus is in the business of changing life from the inside out. He forgives sin. He banishes every bit of evil from your life, giving you a new nature. If you’ve ever longed to get “cleaned up” in an absolute and final way, Jesus is the answer.

Jesus gives you new meaning in life.

No longer should you always ask, “What’s in it for me?” Jesus gives you a new purpose for life. Now, the question you will want to ask is, “Will this glorify God?” That’s real meaning. That gives purpose to the empty feeling that you may have as you go through life.

Accepting Jesus changes everything. In fact, listing five ways that Jesus can improve your life doesn’t even begin to touch on all the ways He changes you. He doesn’t merely improve your life. He gives you a totally new life, helps you to fulfill your purpose as a human being, makes access to God possible, and cleans you from the top down. Pray to Jesus. Accept Jesus. Experience a total life transformation.

Learn How to Pray to Jesus

“Dear Jesus, thank you for this day, and…be with us…And…we just pray. Uh…pray for the missionaries. Amen.”

Does this sound kind of typical? It is a self-confession of what my prayers sometimes sound like. All too often, prayer degenerates into a recitation of cliché phrases, and thoughtless requests. Fervent intercession and passionate praying just aren’t the experience of the average Christian. Sometimes, a weak prayer life is simply due to the fact that we don’t know how to pray to Jesus. The best way to learn is by asking Jesus himself. Jesus’ disciples decided to ask him one day. “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1). Here is what Jesus taught them.

Understanding the Prayer
Luke 11:2-4, along with its parallel passage in Matthew 6:9-13, is commonly known as “The Lord’s Prayer.” Jesus was not teaching his disciples a strict liturgy to memorize and repeat, though there is nothing wrong at all with reciting the prayer. Rather, he was providing a pattern for how to pray to Jesus.

Father, hallowed be your name.
The prayer begins with a tender familial appeal to God as our father. Notice that the first request is not a request for health, or for earthly provision. It is a God-focused request, appealing that His name be honored and revered. The prayer is devoted to glorifying God.

Your kingdom come.
The request, “Your kingdom come,” has two meanings. In the first place, the request is that God’s sovereign rule be advanced in people’s hearts. After all, one aspect of Jesus’ kingdom was its internal reign—a kingdom that existed in people’s hearts. Second, it is a request for the ultimate establishment of the kingdom that Jesus inaugurated by His coming. Christians today still look forward to that day.

Give us each day our daily bread.
There is nothing at all wrong with asking Jesus for material provisions. “Daily bread” includes physical needs. Obviously, it does not confine us to praying only for literal bread. The request can be for a steady job, reliable transportation, a shelter over our heads, healing from sickness, a restored friendship, success on a test, or any of the other needs that we face.

Forgive us our sins, for we forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.
Since Jesus is teaching this prayer to his disciples—people who had already accepted his forgiveness of sins—this request has to do with continual confession of sin. We recognize our propensity to sin and the constant temptations we face. Thus, we should ask Jesus: “Please forgive my sin.” The request regarding temptation can be interpreted something like this: “Jesus please keep me away from those circumstances that tempt me to sin.”

There is nothing magical, formulaic, or incredibly difficult about praying to Jesus. You can learn how to pray to Jesus by reading this prayer and by adapting it into your own daily life. He will answer your prayers.

Facts About Jesus Christ

Here’s a pop quiz. Think about your best friend. Now, list four facts that are true about that friend—the things that make him or her different from other people. That was probably pretty easy. Now, think about someone different—Jesus Christ. Can you list four facts about him?

Jesus is the most important person of all time. As Christians, we ought to know as much as we can about him. Knowing Jesus Christ means living as He lived. Knowing Jesus means following in His footsteps. What are some of the most important facts about Jesus Christ?

He is really God.
One of the most fundamental, and most-often misunderstood facts about Jesus Christ is that He is God. This fact is known as “the deity of Christ.” Early sects from two thousand years ago and even the liberals of today have tried to deny that Jesus is God. The deity of Christ is an extremely important doctrine. If Jesus was not God, his death on the cross would have been useless. A mere man could not have atoned for the world’s sin.

For further study: John 1; Hebrews 1:8; John 20:28; Psalm 45:6-7; Romans 10:9; John 5:25; Colossians 1:17

He is eternal.
Once Jesus’ deity is accepted, there is no confusion regarding other facts about Jesus Christ. One of those facts is his eternality. Big word, simple meaning. Eternality means that Jesus never had a beginning and he will never have an end. “Eternal” is a concept that our human minds have trouble grasping. Some may think, “but I thought Jesus was born. How could he be eternal?” It is true that we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, but that is the point at which he was born as a human, not when he actually began. Jesus existed eternally before he came to earth to live as a man.

For further study: John 1:1; 8:58; Hebrews 1:8; Isaiah 9:6; 1 Corinthians 8:6

He is really Man.
Although Jesus is really God, he is also really man. Here is one of the baffling paradoxical truths of Christianity. Jesus is fully God and fully man. Jesus becoming a human is known as the “incarnation,” a word that means “in flesh.” The fact of Christ’s humanity brings up a closely related issue regarding his birth. He was virgin born. This truth establishes Christ’s sinlessness, discussed in the next point. Because Jesus was really man, he understands the temptations we face, the pain we feel, the grief we experience, and the life we live. He is a man.

For further study: 1 John 3:5; 4:2; Matthew 1:2-15; John 19:1, 18, 28; Luke 2:52.

He is totally sinless.
The only human experience that Jesus cannot relate to is that of actually giving into temptation and sinning. Jesus is entirely sinless. Christ had a real human will, and faced real temptation to sin, but he never gave in. His sinlessness allowed him to take upon himself the sins of the world when he did on the cross.

For further study: Matthew 4; Mark 8; Hebrews 4:15; 13:8; John 2:26

There are more than just these four facts about Jesus Christ. For example, consider the multiple prophecies of Jesus throughout the Old Testament scriptures, the miracle-working ministry he had on earth, His crucifixion on the cross, the resurrection from the dead, and His ascension into heaven are all vital components of this amazing person we know as Jesus Christ.

The Meaning of Life

An Ageless Search
What is the meaning of life? This is one of the most frequently asked questions by all of humanity since the beginning of time. It is a question naturally asked by people because they have the ability to make choices about life. The question would appear to be difficult to answer and different for every individual depending on their circumstances. It is the ultimate search for truth and purpose in life; the reason we were born, wake up everyday and exist.

The Truth
Although people have struggled for the purpose of their existence throughout history, the answer for the meaning of life is relatively simple and the same for everyone; it is to love God by choosing to have a relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ.

How to Move Forward
Once you understand the meaning of life, the next step is choosing to follow God’s plan for your life.  God made you for a specific purpose; however, before you can fulfill that purpose, you need to establish a relationship with God.

How to Fulfill Your Mission
The challenge to the meaning of life is being faithful to the calling of God and being dedicated to fulfilling the purpose that He created you for by accomplishing your life mission. The Holy Bible addresses these issues clearly to give people answers about how to lead their life in every circumstance, from poor to rich, from health to illness, from strong to weak, and from spiritual to sinful. Everybody has limiting circumstances, but God gives people this ultimate life instruction book called the Bible to help them understand how to make the right choices throughout their changing life. Learn about what God wants for you and submit to His plan for a life of fulfilling significance.