One of the complexities of trying to understand a God who can hold all the oceans in the palm of His hand (Isaiah 40:12), yet be able to step into His creation in human flesh (John 1:14) and work by His Spirit in and through people at the same time (Philippians 2:13), is the fact that we are limited by our finite minds (Psalm 103:14). We only know and can fathom what life is like inside a universe of space, time and matter. But God is eternal and exists outside space, time and matter, therefore He is not held to the limitations that we are, even in our minds. So in order for us to know and be able to begin to grasp who God is, He needed to reveal Himself in a manner that we could understand and comprehend even if it is not a complete understanding.

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also He created the world (Hebrews 1:1-2). Jesus is known as the Word of God (Revelation 19:13, John 1:1-5) and His word is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Therefore, His Word is the primary source of Truth which we are given by Him in order that we may understand His nature, character and unique attributes. Jesus relied only on God’s Word for everything (John 12:49-50) and only did what the Father told Him to do and to speak through it. So we will also rely solely on God’s word to understand who He is and what He reveals about Himself. Jesus said that mankind does not live on bread alone, but on EVERY word that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). Since ALL scripture is God breathed (2 Timothy 3:16) and is the foundation of Truth (John 17:17), then there is no excuse for man not to know His Creator (Romans 1:19), for He has made it clear to us who He is in it.

God is Triune

The word Trinity, or Trinitarian God, is not found in the Bible as a phrase or in these terms, however it’s concept is found all throughout Scripture. It is the way God describes who He is and it is only in this context that we can understand the true nature of God, and make sense of the incredible statement that God is Love (1 John 4:8).

Triune is defined by theologians as “three in one” or three persons dwelling in one being. More closely defined, it means the three persons –  Father, Son and Holy Spirit – share one divine essence—acting with one will and operating in perfect unity (Deuteronomy 6:4; John 14:10; 16:13-15). These persons of the God Head are three distinct persons but one God. This does NOT mean God is three Gods and it does not mean God is only one person, yet simply switching appearances or roles over time (see modalism). God is one divine being made up of three divine, yet distinct, persons sharing one divine nature. This is how we can know God is Love (1 John 4:8). God did not need to create humanity to know love. He is Love and has been in a loving relationship within the Godhead (the persons of the Trinity) since all of eternity past, and will be in this loving relationship with them for all of eternity future since He is immutable. (We will talk more extensively about God being unchanging in future articles in this series.)

The Trinity is seen all over the Bible, from God speaking in plurality when creating mankind (Genesis 1:26; Genesis 3:22; Genesis 11:7), to the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:5, 7), to when Abraham was given the promised nation and God showed up in the form of three men (Genesis 18:1-3), to when Jesus was baptized (Matthew 3:13-17) and when He ascended back to the Father thus giving His Great Commission in trinitarian terms (Matthew 28:19).

God is One

Although God is made up of three distinct persons, the Bible is very clear that there is only one God. The opening of the Shema (or the “Saying”), a central teaching in Judaism, says that the Lord is one: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one” (Deuteronomy 6:4). Exodus 20 gives the Ten Commandments, and therefore begins with an emphasis of God as one God whom we are commanded as the only God whom we must worship: “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). And because God revealed Himself as the one true and living God that we are to worship alone, there could be no other. The wonder in that statement is endless and the complexity is beyond comprehension. I have heard it said,

“If God were small enough to be understood, he would not be big enough to be worshipped.” — Evelyn Underhill

Isaiah writes,

“Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.” (Isaiah 40:28)

The Truth is that we have a God who is beyond comprehension, yet He is a God who wants the “masterpiece” of His creation to know Him intimately. And He redeemed His people so we may be His companions for all of eternity, fulfilling His purpose here in this age and in the one to come.

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10, NLT)

Conclusion

The God of the Bible is a God of great complexity, uncontainable in the finite mind of man, but comprehensible through the divine power of His Holy Spirit who teaches believers the unsurpassable Truth of His nature and attributes. God is triune, three persons-one being. A Holy trinity who both created all things, sustains all things and has worked a perfect plan for our redemption in the life, death and resurrection of the second person of the Godhead, Jesus Christ. This perfect plan plan of redemption summizes the fact that by His stripes we are healed of our sin, and by His Grace, through the faith He imparts to us we are made to be righteous, because in Christ alone we are saved (Ephesians 2:8-9). Through this redemption we are granted eternal (John 17:3) life which is reconciliation and peace with our Creator (2 Corinthians 5:18-21), the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).

Let us end this article by contemplating on the reality that we serve the One, True, Triune God of the universe, full of Grace and Truth, blessing and power; as we recite the magnificent Doxology together:

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.

In the next article of this series, “The Attributes of God”, we will look at two more truths about God’s nature, the fact that He is both trancendent and infinite. Until then, take some time to meditate on these truths and praise Him whom all blessings flow!