The Almighty and America

As a non-American it was, and still is, thought provoking to observe the news of what happens there.  We understand that America was founded on Scriptural principles.  

However, it seems as if the enemies of God work overtime to destroy the United States.  

• In 1963 prayer in schools was prohibited.  Nobody ever explained why prayer to the God of the Bible was so dangerous.  
• Since then the enemies of God have tirelessly worked to oppose every Biblical doctrine possible.  Abortion, transgenderism, occult practices and deviations from the God ordained male/female marriage and the patriarchal family are accepted.     
• The events in Afghanistan were especially thought provoking.  

One almost gets the impression that God has decided to let America go because they don’t want Him.  So just like the Israelites, He allows them to destroy themselves.  

We observe, not to gloat over events, but to understand that God’s principles apply to all nations.  In our country, South Africa, the leading party is also not particularly into the God of the Bible.  

Therefore these verses from the book of Isaiah are very illuminating: 

‘…They have forsaken the Lord; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs upon Him.’  Isaiah 1:4b

‘[Therefore] your country is desolate, your cities burned with fire…’  Isaiah 1:7a

This happened, with all the unrest, in quite a few American cities and also in South Africa with the terrible riots and fires a few weeks ago.  

However, there is always a remnant who trusts in God.  To them, God has a special message, 

‘Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds.’  Isaiah 3:10

We can agree that even these negative events show that God is still involved in what happens around us.  So we understand the vision Isaiah had of the seraphs who said, 

‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory.’  Isaiah 6:3

The miracle of the Triune God

 Although the Triune God is one in essence, the three Persons have different functions  for blessing man. ¹  What glory that we, as children of God, will have eternity to thank, worship, enjoy and continue a relationship with each member of the wonderful Godhead.   

#  Scripture reveals that since the Triune God have different functions, there are levels of authority,  

‘When He has done this, then the Son Himself will be made subject to Him [God] who put everything under Him, so that God may be all in all.’  1 Corinthians 15:28

We notice Jesus’ submission to God the Father clearly in what Jesus said, 

‘For I [Jesus] did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me, commanded me what to say and how to say it.’  John 12:49

#  Someone summarised the different functions of the Triune God to save man, as follows, 

• The Father planned it. 
• The Son executed it. 
• The Holy Spirit applies it.  

#  We also see the glorious levels of authority for our benefit in what the Holy Spirit does, 

‘But the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My Name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.’  John 14:26

#  The following is a reference that shows how our awesome Triune God works together for the benefit of man,

‘He [God] saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.’  Titus 3:5b-7  

Conclusion

The glory is that one day we will experience the Triune God for all eternity,

‘The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and His servants will serve Him…. ‘The Spirit and the Bride say, Come [Lord Jesus]!’’  Revelation 22:3b, Revelation 22:17a 

1.  See Why a Triune God?, The Holy Spirit’s function and Jesus’ role as part of the Triune Godhead.

Jesus’ role as part of the Triune Godhead

We want to continue with the functions of each of the Godhead, Father, Son and Holy Spirit (see Why a Triune God? and The Holy Spirit’s function).  It was decreed by the Triune God that Jesus would be the Sacrifice for sins committed against God, 

‘For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a Lamb without blemish or defect.’  1 Peter 1:18-19

#  As we have repeatedly said, God’s Kingdom is a real historical fact.  So the penalty of eternal death for our sins is also reality,

‘For the wages of sin is death…’  Romans 6:23a

#  The death of Jesus on the Cross and His Resurrection is just such a reality, our gateway to eternal life, 

‘…but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.’  Romans 6:23b 

#  Note how wonderful the Triune God cooperate, 

‘I [Jesus] came from the Father and entered the world: now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.’  John 16:28

#  Jesus is going back to the Father, but,

‘It is for your good that I am going away [back to the Father].  Unless I go away, the Counsellor [the Holy Spirit] will not come to you;  but when I go, I will send Him to you.’  John 16:7

Note the, ‘…for your good.’  How wonderful that the Triune God does what is necessary to help us along on the way to eternal life with the Father.