Creator, Father, King #7

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

WHEN YOU THINK OF Genesis 1, what comes to mind?

If you are like most people with even a basic understanding of the Bible, you probably think of Creation—and rightfully so. The first chapter of Scripture goes into vivid detail about how God made the universe.

Yet look carefully at Genesis 1, and you’ll find some fascinating details about God’s nature. In fact, only two verses into the Bible, we see an allusion to God’s triune nature when we read about God the Father in verse 1 and “the Spirit of God” in verse 2. (A prophetic allusion to Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God and the second Person of the Trinity, comes a few chapters later in Genesis 3:15.)

In Genesis 1:26, when God was about to create humans, he said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness” (ESV, emphasis added). Why didn’t God say, “Let me make man in my image”? Why does God refer to himself in the plural?

Because it’s an amazing reference to his unique three-in-one nature.

What’s It Mean?

There is only one God (Deuteronomy 6:4), but there are three distinct persons that make up the one true God: the Father, the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit. All are equal in their divine natures yet separate in their roles.

Is this confusing to you? If so, don’t be discouraged! No human can fully comprehend the awesome wonders of the Trinity. There is beautiful mystery to it. If God could be completely understood by mere mortals like us, he wouldn’t be a very great God, would he?

The study of the Trinity fills entire books. We’re going to take the next three days to discuss God’s glorious triune nature. These are just some initial steps of what should be an awe-filled, lifetime journey in understanding this amazing aspect of God.

Now What?

Ask God to give you a greater love and understanding of his three-in-one nature.

Did You Know?

You won’t find the actual word Trinity anywhere in the Bible, yet it is one of the most important theological doctrines (or beliefs about God) in Christianity. References to the Trinity are scattered throughout Scripture, including today’s verse and Matthew 3:16-17; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; and Jude 1:20-21.