The triquetra (from a Latin word meaning “three-cornered”) is an ancient symbol for the Trinity. It comprises three interwoven arcs, distinct yet equal and inseparable, symbolizing that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three distinct yet equal Persons and indivisibly One God.: : :
When we speak with words such as "return" or "reconciled," we do imply separation. Is it possible that we both hold and not hold God within ourselves? Or that He does and does not live in us? And if God dwells in us, how can we be separated from Him and be empty?
~ Maureen
There are various kinds of separation. And since one God is expressed in a Trinity of three distinct personalities—Father in Heaven, Jesus the Son, Spirit Counselor—our types of separation with each Person is different.
"Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me. Not that anyone has seen the Father, except He who is from God; He has seen the Father."
~ John 6:45-46 (NKJV)
There is an order within the Trinity. The Father holds supreme authority above creation and creatures, over humanity and angels, and above the other two Persons of God. No one of the earth may see His face. The ugliness of our sin, however small we think it, separates us completely from His absolute goodness (or holiness), and makes us His enemy—with no permission to enter His presence. Accompanied by Jesus, we have the right to enter the Father’s presence in prayer, make peace with Him, and be adopted as His child. We are then fully reconciled to Him spiritually and have the privilege of as much time in His presence as we spend in prayer. But we will not see His face before the day we go to where He is, in Heaven.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
~ John 1:14 (NKJV)
Jesus is fully God. He expresses the Father in logic as the Word of God, in creation as its Maker, and in human flesh as God become Man. When we take in Scripture, we are in the company of Jesus the Word. In perception of creation (including of ourselves), we know the Creator. But Jesus the God-Man now resides in the Paradise of Heaven. We are physically separated from Him until we meet in Paradise upon physical death, or when we meet Him in the sky at the rapture.
"It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment."
~ John 16:7-8 (author)
No one is separated from the Holy Spirit. Named Paraclete, or Counselor, He is present in the voice of conscience which convicts any person of sin. The Holy Spirit may come upon a person in more strength and give the power to do what pleases the Father. The Holy Spirit comes into the person who entrusts himself or herself to Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit will occupy as little or as much place as is given to Him. When He fills a person, His presence cannot be missed. When He is given a small measure of trust, He occupies a small space, and may even seem absent.
Yesterday’s post on my blog is titled “Father, Son, Spirit.” Those interested in my personal experience of relationship with these three Persons are invited to read more there.
© 2010 Anne Lang Bundy
Image source: anglicancatholic.ca
I think if we had Jesus in the flesh here, we would treat him just like a superstar. TV cameras and papparazzi and mass healings.
ReplyDeleteAfter all, he had a carnival like atmosphere during his years on earth. But when he was crucified, all had left him.
It would be the same today...we would worship a hero, until he began to be a suffering savior.
That's why we need a separation - so we can actually have faith.
Anne, I think you explain this so well. And I must admit to my greed when it comes to the Holy Spirit. There is never enough.
ReplyDeleteThanks for such a wonderful explanation sis, love you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Anne. It is wonderful that we cannot be separated from God's love for us. -- Sometimes God's love is experienced in the form of discipline or conviction, and not a warm and fuzzy inner feeling ... :-)
ReplyDeleteDavid ~ Jesus said it was necessary for Him to go away. As you've pointed out, His spiritual kingdom would be far more difficult to establish in His physical presence.
ReplyDeleteT ~ We say we want more of the Spirit (me too). But He comes with the cost of brokenness for sin and the price of yielding other things. We are filled with the best where room is made by clearing out sin and lesser goods.
Denise ~ This perspective is surely incomplete. But I pray it prompts us to seek out more of God for ourselves.
Rusty ~ True that. However His love is conveyed, it seems most acutely felt the smaller we are and the larger we see Him.
One thing that keeps me going during rough times -- feeling separated from earthly dear ones -- is knowing that my Lord is always enmeshed as "One" and that I will never be rejected or forced into separation, but for eternity will be a part of the "Enmeshment".
ReplyDeletecaryjo ~
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful way for you to express the oneness God is working among us, even as we approach the day of oneness with Him—bride and Bridegroom one flesh.