The Trinity's Blessings

The Apostle Paul loved to use Trinitarian benedictions in his letters to early Christian churches. He was writing to people who had accepted Jesus as the Messiah, Son of God, the second person of the Trinity in human form. And since Jesus’ ascension, they were accustomed His physical absence, but now experienced His internal presence through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The God of the Old Testament had become of the God of the New Testament with three distinct and detectable manifestations.

Those of us who live today have long understood that God, whom we worship and serve, is one God, but three persons. For the early believers, knowing all three persons of the Trinity was a blessing they were still getting used to!

Paul took every opportunity to let his parishioners know that relating to God as three persons was a privilege – one to be understood and valued. He knew that we, as God’s beloved, have been invited to join in the eternal, vibrant, exuberant relationship that exists among the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

So, Paul often used the Trinity to pray blessings on these followers of Jesus. I have chosen to share a few examples because I believe they will bless you, too!

The blessing of eternal resurrection:

“If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.” - Romans 8:11

The blessings of power and indwelling presence:

“For this reason, I kneel before the Father . . . I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” – Ephesians 3:14-17a

The blessings of grace, love, and fellowship:

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” – 2 Corinthians 13:14

The blessings of inheritance and glory:

​“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory.” – Romans 8:16-17

Is there possibly any more we could want from God than these amazing blessings? They fill us with joy and gratitude, knowing the love and grace God extends to us.

“What do we want? What would we be at? What do our souls desire? Is it not that we might have a more full, clear, stable comprehension of the wisdom, love, grace, goodness, holiness, righteousness, and power of God, as declared and exalted in Christ unto our redemption and eternal salvation?” – John Owen