Father, Son, and Holy Ghost

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost

Romans 5:1-5

The Trinity, or the doctrine of the Trinity, is something most of us probably give little thought to on a daily basis. We’ve grown so accustomed to the reality of the Trinity, that, for the most part, it’s simply part of our belief system that comes natural in our thinking.

But no matter how comfortable we are with the Trinity, and how much we’ve accepted it as a true and productive understanding of God... it remains a mystery. The Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—one God in three persons, perfectly unified in purpose and God-ness.

We’ve accepted the Trinitarian concept in lots of different ways. For example, we know that water can be a liquid, a solid, and a gas. We don’t question that it’s H2O. And we also see people as multi-person-ed... I’m a son, a husband, and a father. I’m Jerry, Poppy, and Preacher-Man, depending on what I’m doing. It’s a stated truth.

As we focus on this profound truth that God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, our lesson from Romans offers us a beautiful glimpse into how the Trinity actually works in our lives, shaping us through grace, faith, and hope.

This scripture, rooted in the heart of Reformed theology, reminds us that our salvation, our peace, and our endurance are not our own doing, but the gracious work of God’s sovereign and eternal will - expressed through God the Father, Son, and Spirit.

Paul begins, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” This is the heartbeat of the Gospel. As Presbyterians we emphasize that we are justified—declared righteous—not because of our works, but by faith alone in Christ alone. This is the work of the Son, who took on flesh, lived the perfect life we couldn’t, died in our place, and rose again to secure our salvation.

Think about it: we were enemies of God, separated by sin. But through Jesus, the second person of the Trinity, we’re not just forgiven—we’re reconciled. We have peace with God. Not a flimsy, fleeting peace, like when you dodge a speeding ticket or when the “voice” behind the speaker at the drive thru manages to get your order right! This is deep, unshakable peace—a right relationship with the Creator of the universe. Not because we climbed and scratched and clawed our way to God; but because the Son came down to us. That’s grace—undeserved, unstoppable, and all at God’s divine initiative.

Paul continues, “Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Here we see the work of the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, who applies Christ’s work to our hearts. As reformed Christians, we affirm that even our faith is a gift, stirred in us by the Spirit. We don’t muster up belief; the Spirit opens our eyes to see Christ’s beauty and draws us to trust Him.

This “access” Paul talks about is like getting a backstage pass to the greatest concert ever—except this pass gets you into the presence of God Himself. And it’s not a one-time entry; we stand in this grace. Day after day, the Spirit keeps us rooted in God’s favor, assuring us that we belong to Him. So when life feels like a mess—when the kids are screaming, the bills are piling up, or the doctor’s report isn’t good—you can stand firm, knowing the Spirit holds you in God’s grace.

Of course, then Paul takes a turn that might feel jarring: “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings.” Rejoice in sufferings? Paul, are you serious? But he explains why: suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope. And this hope “does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

Here’s where the Father’s sovereign hand comes into focus. God’s Word teaches and reminds us that God is sovereign over all things, even our hardships. The Father doesn’t waste our pain; He uses it to shape us, to make us more like Christ. Suffering isn’t random or meaningless—it’s part of the Father’s loving plan to refine us and anchor us in hope.

I think of Miss Vera, a member of the first church I served as pastor. She faced a devastating cancer diagnosis. It was hard—chemo, fear, uncertainty. But she’d tell you that in those dark moments, she felt God’s love more deeply than ever. Through prayer, Scripture, and the Spirit’s comfort, she found a hope that didn’t depend on her circumstances. That’s what Paul’s talking about—a hope that grows stronger in the fire, because it’s rooted in the Triune God’s unchanging love.

Notice how the Trinity is woven through our lesson. The Son secures our peace through His sacrifice. The Spirit grants us access to grace and pours God’s love into our hearts. The Father orchestrates our lives, even our sufferings, to produce hope that points us to His glory. This is the Triune God at work—three persons, one divine purpose, transforming us from the hopelessly lost... into beloved children.

So what does this mean for us today? First, rest in the peace Christ has won for you. You don’t have to earn God’s favor; Jesus already did. If you’re carrying guilt or striving to prove yourself, lay it down at the cross. Second, trust the Spirit to keep you in God’s grace. When you feel weak or unworthy, remember the Spirit is praying for you, guiding you, and reminding you of God’s promises. Third, embrace suffering as part of the Father’s plan. It’s not easy, but God is using it to build in you a hope that will never fail.

Finally, let’s marvel at the Trinity. The Father loves us, the Son redeems us, and the Spirit dwells within us. This is the God we worship—a God who’s never distant nor detached but intimately involved in every part of our lives. As you & I go out this week, carry this truth: you are held by the Triune God, and His love will never let you go.