“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen.”
(2 Corinthians 13:14)
The doctrine of the Trinity, that God is one in essence (Isa. 44:6) and eternally exists as three distinct Persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Phil. 1:2, Titus 2:13, Acts 5:3-4), is foundational to the Christian faith. And while this truth is beyond our human comprehension, it is vital to our understanding of salvation.
Each Person of the Trinity is intimately involved in the work of redemption. God the Father, in His eternal love, decreed the sacrifice of His Son for the salvation of sinners (John 3:16, Rom. 5:8). God the Son, in perfect obedience, bore the sins of His people, securing the covenant of grace through His atoning death (1 Peter 2:24, Eph. 5:2). God the Holy Spirit applies this redemption to the hearts of believers, regenerating them, sanctifying them, and sealing them unto the day of final redemption (Titus 3:5-6, 1 Peter 1:2).
How marvelous it is that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are fully engaged in the salvation of sinners! The eternal decree, the accomplished work, and the applied grace all flow from the unity of the Triune God. Thomas Manton rightly observed, “All the Persons of the blessed Trinity do agree to give happiness and salvation to believers.”[1]
Our redemption, fully accomplished by the Trinity, is a mystery too great for human minds to grasp, yet it is the substance of our faith. Though we cannot fully understand this glorious work, we are called to believe it, rest in it, and adore the Triune God for this unspeakable gift of salvation.
“But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior.” (Titus 3:4-6)
Contemplations
- The Blessing of Divine Communion. Paul’s benediction to the Corinthians expresses the greatest desire a believer can have—that the love of God, the grace of Christ, and the fellowship of the Spirit be upon them. Do I seek to live in conscious communion with the Triune God, experiencing His grace and love daily?
- Adoring the Triune God. The names of God in Scripture often appear in the plural—“Let Us make man in Our image” (Gen. 1:26), and “Let Us go down and confound their language” (Gen. 11:7). Do I consistently adore God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, worshipping Him as the One in Three and Three in One?
- The Work of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit applies Christ’s work to my life, regenerating me, sanctifying me, and assuring me of salvation. Am I yielding to His sanctifying work and seeking to grow in holiness?
Prayer: Adoration for the Trinity’s Redemptive Work
O Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—eternal in majesty, infinite in wisdom, and perfect in holiness, I lift my heart in worship before You. Who can declare Your greatness? Who can fathom the mystery of Your being? You are one God in three Persons, coequal, coeternal, and indivisible in power and glory. I bow before You in humble adoration, for You alone are worthy of all honor and praise.
O Father of mercy, You have loved me with an everlasting love. Before the foundation of the world You decreed my salvation, purposing that I should be called from darkness into Your marvelous light. In infinite grace You sent forth Your Son to redeem those under the curse of sin. How great is Your love that while I was yet a sinner, Christ died for me! How unsearchable are Your ways, that You should set Your affection upon the undeserving! I am unworthy of such love, and yet You have freely bestowed it, not for any merit in me but for the praise of Your glorious grace.
O blessed Lord Jesus, the eternal Son of the Father, how marvelous is Your condescension! You left the glory You shared with the Father, taking on human flesh, that You might suffer and die in my place. You bore my sin upon the tree, enduring the wrath I deserved, that I might be clothed in Your perfect righteousness. Your obedience unto death has secured my redemption, and by Your resurrection I am raised to newness of life. O Christ, my Redeemer, my Advocate, my King, I adore You! Let my heart be ever bound to You in love and devotion.
O Holy Spirit, blessed Comforter, You are the One who applies Christ’s work to my soul. You awakened me to my need for salvation, convicted me of sin, and granted me faith to believe. You dwell within me, sealing me for the day of redemption, sanctifying me, and leading me into all truth. How often I grieve You by my sin! How prone I am to neglect Your voice, to resist Your refining work. Forgive me, O Spirit of God, and renew within me a heart that longs for holiness. Lead me in the paths of righteousness that I may walk in obedience and love.
My salvation is wholly of You, Lord. The Father planned it, the Son accomplished it, and the Spirit applies it. What a glorious mystery, that all Three Persons of the Godhead should be intimately involved in the redemption of sinners! Who am I, that You should set Your love upon me? Who am I that You should call me by name and make me Your own? I bow in wonder before You, overwhelmed by such grace.
O Triune God, let my life be a living testimony to the work of redemption. Let me glorify the Father who sent His Son, the Son who gave His life, and the Spirit who grants me new life. May my lips declare Your praise, my hands serve Your kingdom, and my heart be wholly devoted to You. Keep me steadfast in faith and zealous for Your glory until that day when I stand before You in perfect holiness, beholding the glory of the Lamb who was slain.
To You, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be all glory, honor, and dominion, now and forever. Amen.
Further References for 2 Corinthians 13:14
Phil. 2:1; Rom. 16:20; Jude 1:21; Matt. 28:19; 1 Cor. 16:23.
[1] Thomas Manton, A Fourth Volume Containing One Hundred and Fifty Sermons, (London: J. D. and are to be sold by Jonathon Robinson .., 1693), 1232.
