1 Timothy 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope.

We sometimes get stuck in habitual terminology in thinking about God, when the Bible itself is far more flexible. We usually speak of Christ our Savior, which He certainly is, but here Paul turns that around and says God our Savior. The Trinity is a doctrine that tries to explain something that really is beyond our intellectual ability to grasp. Actually, astrophysicists describe it in their talking about the multiple dimensions that had to exist at the moment of the “Big Bang,” but those are abstract constructs, when God is available to us on a daily, moment-by-moment basis. In that context, it’s very appropriate that Paul speaks here of Christ Jesus our hope. We can know God on a personal basis precisely because He chose to come to earth as a human being, thereby letting us see God. (John 14:7, 9) Apart from that, and His taking the penalty for our sins on Himself, we would indeed have no hope. Human words, human intellect, choke on the Divine reality of Father, Son, and Spirit being indeed One, though from our perspective they are three. In the Upper Room Discourse (John 13-17) Jesus said quite a few things that violate our normal, physical/material understanding of things, especially regarding the Person and work of the Holy Spirit. As Paul said later, spiritual things are spiritually discerned; a materialistic mind can’t grasp them at all. (1 Corinthians 2:12) Those who desire to know more of God need to relax their categories and let Him reveal Himself to them. He really doesn’t fit into boxes very well!

I have had many discussions of the Trinity, both with believers and with non-believers, and I have come to the conclusion that they accomplish very little. I am not to run from the subject, but I’ve got to remember that my own understanding is far from complete and I’ll certainly never convince anyone of anything by the force of my words. God has used my words on occasion to give people revelation of Himself, but that’s His doing and not mine. I’ve got to remember that God, being infinite, is beyond our finite ability to grasp, apart from His graciously revealing Himself to us, and so pray not only for revelation but for faith, for myself and for those I work with. Our triune God is certainly up to the task!

Father, I certainly didn’t expect this when I sat down to read just now! Thank You for the physical impossibility, but glorious spiritual reality, of being Your child, being in Christ and Christ being in me, even as You are in Him and vice versa. (John 15:4; 17:22-23) May I be Your agent in every area of my life, accurately transmitting Your love and grace to all I encounter, so that they to may be drawn into intimate fellowship with You, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!