What does the doctrine of the Trinity have to do with our daily lives? It might seem like a lofty concept, but we’re about to discover that the Trinity has everything to do with how we live, love, and interact with the world around us.
In the midst of a college classroom discussion about the mysterious nature of the Trinity, a question arose that pierced through the complexity. “How do we apply the Trinity?” Our professor wasn’t merely probing us to grasp the theology; he was challenging us to integrate it into our daily existence. This concept of practical theology is a call to unite belief and action. Our beliefs about God ought to shape every facet of our lives.
A.W. Tozer’s words resonate deeply: “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” This truth stands resolute—we are all theologians in our own right, for our thoughts about God define us. Even our daily choices, how we handle relationships, and navigate challenges reflect our core beliefs. In other words, what we think about the Trinity in our daily lives deeply matters. So how do we apply the Trinity?
The Blueprint of Divine Community
Picture the blueprint of a magnificent building, a design of unity and purpose. The Triune God serves as this blueprint for true community. Within the Trinity, we uncover the perfect model of relationships, love, humility, and honor. It reveals the ideal blend of distinction and equality, where unity and diversity coexist harmoniously. Through the Trinity, we glimpse the essence of authentic love—sacrificial and other-centered. One cannot discuss unity without pondering the Trinity. In fact, unity finds its purest form in the Triune God, a reality we cannot overlook. It’s like discussing light and heat without acknowledging the sun—it’s incomplete.
John 17: A Prayer for Unity
The words of Jesus in John 17:20-23 capture this unity.
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.”
Note how his prayer underscores the significance of unity, linking it directly to the unity found within the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus prays for believers to be one, just as He and the Father are one. The unity He desires for us mirrors the unity that exists within the Trinity.
The Triune God provides the blueprint for unity. By peering into the relationship among the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we discover the principles that govern unity. This blueprint shapes our community and interactions. It paints a picture of love, honor, humility, and safety.
The Attitudes of Unity
As we examine the attitudes within the Trinity, we find a common thread that runs through our relationships.
Love: The Triune God’s mutual love serves as a model for our love for one another. Their unity stems from a perfect love that seeks the well-being of the other.
Honor: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit constantly honor one another. Their unity is marked by a zealous desire to lift one another up. As we honor each other, we reflect this divine community.
Humility: In the Trinity, we witness the humility of each Person—the Father sending the Son, the Son’s incarnation, and the Spirit’s empowerment. This humility should guide our interactions.
Safety: The transparency and vulnerability within the Trinity foster a safe environment. Similarly, our relationships should be marked by openness, understanding, and trust.
The Triune God demonstrates purposeful unity. The plan of Father, Son and Spirit for creation and redemption is intricately woven together. Just as they work in unity, we’re called to work together in diverse roles, all equally vital, to fulfill our purpose.
We are called to mirror their unity through love, honor, humility, and safety. In our pursuit of unity, let’s return to this source—the Triune God’s blueprint—and understand that unity isn’t just a goal; it’s a reflection of our relationship with the divine.