The Knowledge Of God (Ii)

by T.M. Hyland | Category: The Knowledge Of God (Ii) | Jun 1959

The God revealed in Holy Scripture is invisible (Colossians 1.15). He has never been seen by mortal man (John 1.18). Manifestations of God have been given (e.g., see Exodus 33.17-28), but, although God can be known by man in mortal body, He has never been seen by mortal eyes. A most mysterious and wonderful fact which God has revealed about Himself is that there are Three Persons in the Godhead. It is impossible for finite minds to fathom or explain this mystery. The Father is God (Philippians 2.11), the Son is God (Hebrews 1.8) and the Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5.8, 4). Such a Being could never have been conceived by man had He not graciously revealed Himself in Holy Scripture. In attempting to explain the mystery of the Trinity some have suggested that the terms Father, Son and Holy Spirit are used to describe three forms in which one and the same Person is manifested, as, in human affairs, one and the same person may be the father of a family, the commander of an army and the sovereign of a kingdom. Such a conception is quite contrary to the revelation of God in Scripture. The Father is described as sending the Son (1 John 4.10) and the Father and the Son as sending the Spirit (John 14.26 and 16.7). At the river Jordan when Christ was baptized, the Father spoke from heaven, and the Spirit of God descended in bodily form as a dove upon the Son (Matthew 3.18-17). Such examples of the activities of the Persons in the Godhead are plainly inconsistent with the idea of the Trinity being three manifestations of one Person. The mode of existence of the Divine Being is unique and therefore attempts to illustrate it are futile. There are three Persons-there is One God.

The doctrine of the Trinity is clearly discernible in the Old Testament Scriptures, but is fully demonstrated in the New Testament. The declaration of the Risen Saviour, Baptizing them into the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit " (Matthew 28. 19), requires the acceptance of this doctrine by all those who submit themselves for baptism as His disciples. Note the singular, NAME (not names). The full revelation of the Triune God to men could only be accomplished through the incarnation of the Son and the sending forth of the Spirit.

The relationship of the Persons in the Godhead is eternal. There are some who profess to accept the doctrine of the Trinity and of the Deity and Eternity of the three Persons in the Godhead, but who affirm that our Lord's Sonship is a development which took place in time and is not therefore original and eternal. Many passages of Scripture (e.g., Hebrews 1.2, Colossians 1.15, 16) clearly indicate that the relationship antedated creation. And, further, the Fatherhood in the Godhead is the primary pattern from which the very idea of fatherhood is derived. To say that the divine Fatherhood began at our Lord's incarnation, or at some other point in time, is clearly inconsistent with such a passage as Ephesians 3.15. Because it is beyond human comprehension we are unable to define what is involved in this relationship of Father and Son in the Godhead, but we believe that the essential and ineffable glory of the Son of God is bound up in it. And we also believe that the Scriptural treatment of this important matter, in its totality, demands acceptance of the doctrine of the Eternal Sonship of our Lord Jesus Christ as an article of faith.

In many parts of Scripture the work of the Trinity in unity of purpose to secure salvation for mankind can be clearly discerned. In the well-known passage, Ephesians 1.4-14, we read of the Father choosing, the Son redeeming and the Spirit sealing the believers. This shows the complete accord in the counsels of the Godhead, and also indicates subjection on the part of the Son to the Father and of the Spirit to the Father and the Son. This subjection carries no implication of inferiority. In the performance of divine purposes it is a further demonstration of the unity of the Divine Being.

Three important statements regarding the nature of God are given in the writings of the apostle John:

(1)"God is a Spirit" (John 4. 24), He is entirely free from the limitations of space and time

(2)"God is light" (1 John 1.5), implying absolute purity and holiness;

(3)"God is love" (1 John 4.8), love is inherent to His Being; as He is Spirit, and as He is Light, so in His very nature He is Love. All His actions are consistent with His nature. He works in unsullied light, impelled by infinite love.

Many passages in the Psalms and the prophets (e.g., Psalm 93, Isaiah 40.12-26) refer to the greatness and majesty of God, and extol

His power and omniscience. Such themes have captivated godly men in all ages. No earthly joy is to be compared with the joy of the Lord. The tendency of modern materialism is to deify man and his achievements. The reverential fear and unalloyed joy which spring from the knowledge of God are rare in the earth today. To know God we must find time to reflect in quietness and solitude on the priceless revelation of Himself in Holy Scripture. Thus, also, will we get a true estimate of ourselves, a necessary and valuable experience. In the divine presence human pretensions evaporate. Self-disclosure is a first result of the discovery of God. Said Job:

I had heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear;

But now mine eye seeth Thee,

Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent

In dust and ashes" (Job. 42.5 0).

and Isaiah:

"Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean tips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts" (Isaiah 6.5).

Knowledge of God begets love of God. Many are "believers in God," fewer are "lovers of God" (2 Timothy 3.4). Unashamedly, the lover of pleasure pursues his objective; conversation, demeanour and conduct all reveal the bent of his mind. So with the lover of God there is an increasing dedication of his powers to one supreme objective. He, of all men, has learned the true meaning of life

For the heart only dwells, truly dwells with its treasure,

And the languor of love captive hearts can unfetter;

And they who love God cannot love Him by measure,

For their love is but hunger to love Him stilt better" (Faber).

To share God's thoughts is the privilege of all who are prepared to listen to His voice. Such are in the minority today but, blessed be God, the time will come when "the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea" (Isaiah 11. 9).

Oh Lord, hasten that day!

T.M. Hyland | Jun 1959
The Knowledge Of God (Ii)