God is a relationship
God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:9 (ESV)
If you were to ask anyone to describe God, the person may well respond that God is indescribable: He is great, good and gracious, but invisible to the human eye, so how can we describe God if we cannot see him? The Father is God, Jesus is God and the Holy Spirit is God. Does that mean there are three Gods? The answer is emphatically, ‘No!’ According to the Bible God is one. Deuteronomy 6:4 states, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one…” Jesus also emphasised this when he answered the teacher of the law (Mark 12:29).
So the question is, How can the Father, the Son and the Spirit be one?
As physical human beings we have a limited understanding of God, who is spirit; we must rely therefore on God’s revelation in Scripture for our knowledge of him, and Scripture reveals that God is one divine Being in three eternal, yet distinct Persons, in relationship as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.1 God has existed from eternity and will continue forever (Isaiah 57:15). Jesus is the beloved Son of the Father, as stated in Matthew 3:17, ‘…behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” ’ The Holy Spirit is the giver of life,2 as Jesus says, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all.” (John 6:63).
The exciting and amazing truth is that all believers in Jesus Christ have received a calling to participate with him and share in this wonderful relationship, as shown in the header scripture. Romans 11:29 adds, ’…the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.’ They cannot be revoked or rescinded. What a blessing, privilege, and honour to be given the opportunity to be a part of a relationship that has existed from eternity and will continue forever. The problems and difficulties that we experience in life are real. But if we keep our eyes and thoughts fixed on the Father’s beloved Son, Jesus Christ, knowing that the time is coming when we will fully participate in his wonderful and amazing life, then the troubles that we experience in this fallen world will pale into insignificance.
These problems and difficulties are also serving the purpose of helping to form the very image of Christ in us (Galatians 4:19). In reality, all believers are right now participating in the life of Jesus Christ. He is our brother and friend, who wants to spend eternity with us, sharing his inheritance. After all, that is why he created us in the first place.
It is the best invitation that we will ever receive!
Prayer
Eternal Father, thank you for inviting us into the fellowship of Jesus Christ. By the Holy Spirit, please enable us to respond to this special invitation in a manner that is pleasing to you. Amen
Study by Sherwin Scott
1 The GCI Statement of Beliefs – Grace Communion International
2 Ibid
About the writer:
Sherwin Scott is a deacon in the Lewes congregation of Grace Communion International.
Local congregation:
Grace Communion in Lewes
The House of Friendship
208 High Street
Lewes
BN7 2NS
Meeting time:
Sunday 11:00am
Local congregational contact:
Hilary Buck: lewes@gracecom.church
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Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church