Read: John 14:8-21
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth. (vv. 16-17)
One of God’s most unique distinctions—and perhaps the one most difficult to understand—is the fact that he is triune. He is one God (one what), but he exists as three persons (three whos)—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. All three persons are co-equal and co-eternal; they are the one being who is God. This belief in the Trinity is a core concept of authentic biblical Christianity.
The Trinity is partially revealed in the Old Testament, but the New Testament gives us clearer teaching on the subject. Christ himself spoke about the three distinct persons of the Godhead on numerous occasions. In John 14, Jesus comforted his disciples the night before he died. He spoke about his union with God the Father, telling Philip that “whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (v. 9). He reassured the disciples that when he was gone, the Father would send the “Spirit of truth” to be with them forever. In this way, Jesus would never really leave them: “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” (v. 18).
Christ’s words comforted his friends, and they encourage us as well. Together, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit love us and manifest themselves to us—in the one being that is God. We are not “orphans;” we are children of the triune God! —Laura N. Sweet
As you pray, thank Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for their presence in your life.
About the Author
Laura N. Sweet is a wife, mother, grandmother, and former Christian schoolteacher from Midland, Michigan. She writes devotional material for both adults and children, and her work has appeared in more than a dozen publications.
