The Christian doctrine of the Trinity claims that God exists as three persons (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) in one being. There is only one God in terms of ontology, but this single deity has three persons. So the Father is not the Son or the Spirit, the Son is not the Father or the Spirit, the Spirit is not the Father or the Son – but the Father is God, the Son is God, the Holy Spirit is God. Though it can be confusing, just keep in mind that Christianity is monotheistic.
Further clarity is found when we examine the work that each member of the Trinity accomplishes. For example, the Father ordained the universe but created it through the Son. The Spirit convinces the dead-heart of Scripture but in a way that exalts the Son. Specifically for this article, I would like to consider the soteriological work of God. What actions has each member of the Trinity taken to redeem a people?
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First, the Father chose whom He would redeem (Eph 1:4-6). In eternity past, He set His love on certain sinners. This love did not look for a difference among people (as if He chose the best and brightest) but made a difference. Though none of these rebels deserved to be chosen for such a glorious end, the Father, in mercy, decided to show them love.
Second, the Son suffered in the place of these specific rebels (Eph 1:7-12). The Son took the form of a man (incarnation) and lived a perfect life on earth. In living a perfect life, He earned an eternal life with God. On the cross, the Father smote Him with the righteous indignation meant for His people whom He chose, and His people get credit for His righteousness.
Third, the Spirit awakens these certain sinners, as time progresses, from a life of hating God to one of loving God (Eph 1:13-14). This is when the benefits by the Son's life and death are applied to God’s people. These sinners are sealed in the Holy Spirit, never to be taken out of God’s salvific love.
In salvation, these are the distinctive works of each member of the Trinity. This doctrine of God has drastic implications for how I should love others.
First, as the Father’s love for His people, my love for people is not dependent upon their actions but upon my decision to love. I do not aim for the ones who seem to benefit me the most, or the individuals whom I best get along with. My desire instead is to mirror the Father’s love by unconditionally serving those around me. This type of love is truly the strongest because the dispositions of other people are not variables to be considered. The only consideration is whether or not I choose to love them.
Second, as the Son’s love for His people, my love for people is self-sacrificing. Paul addresses this in marriage: “Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her” (Eph 5:25). Based on my decision to love those around me, I should be willing to give of myself freely for their benefit. The consideration is not, “Do they deserve this?” but rather, “Am I able to help?” My action is motivated by my prior choice to love them, and determined on the greatness of their need rather than the merit of their lifestyle.
Third, as the Spirit’s love for His people, my love for people is active and pursuing. Rather than wait for our response, the Spirit seeks and powerfully awakens God’s people to His truth. Similarly, my love for others should not hinge on them reaching out to me. I do not mean a pestering love, but an active one. My service is always at-the-ready, to be deployed whenever I see the need arise.
My belief in the Triune God compels me to unconditionally, sacrificially, actively love others. In this, I mirror God’s own love for His people.
There are three initial benefits I see from basing such ethics on the Christian worldview. First, it offers this abiding example for ethical conduct. Second, the glory of God's triune nature and work is such that I am continuously captivated by what I see and compelled to go and do likewise. This contributes to my motivationfor ethical conduct. Third, this Triune display seems to provide a reliable basis for ethical conduct: my love for others is based on something that never changes.
