Thursday, June 30, 2011

Coming to God through the Trinity

At bible study this morning, I was blown away by some simple but profound concepts and had to share them. I am still chewing on this so pardon the fragmented thoughts. Hopefully it will make sense!We were discussing the end of Matthew 11. Jesus explained that he would only reveal things to those who are like children/unlearned/simple/trusting and not the learned or wise.

Matthew 11:25-27 NIV
At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.“All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

Jesus was announcing to the crowd that he was God's son and that only through Him could God be revealed. He said that all things were committed/given/placed under Him by His father. Jesus was referencing that before time began, God gave Him power over everything. God the Holy Spirit and Jesus had the whole plan of salvation put together before the foundations of the world. Mans fall into sin and death was not a mistake but God giving us the opportunity to choose Him of our own free will. The Trinity had the whole plan of salvation worked out and they know the whole story from beginning to end. God the Father wanted to give us the freedom to choose Him or walk away so that everyone who comes to Him does so by their free will. God was not willing that any should perish but that all would come to repentance. But He loves us so much that He doesn't force Himself upon us. We have the freedom to choose.
So the Holy Spirit works in the world through conviction of the heart and revelation of the truth of wrong, right, judgment and justice. He convicts our hearts and points us toward the need for a savior. Jesus steps in for us because He is the way, the truth and the life and no man can come to the Father but through Him. Jesus has complete authority over all and offered up Himself as the sacrifice for mankind's sin. When we come to Him and accept His gift of salvation, we enter into His family. Then Jesus reveals His father to us. Only through knowing Jesus the Son can we come to know God as Father. Before salvation God is only known to us as god but after salvation, He becomes our heavenly Father and Jesus works to continually reveal Him to us! How awesome is that?
There is still so much more to chew on but for now...
Thank you Jesus for revealing God to me as my heavenly Father!