Pastor's Corner Blog
The Tripartite Self: A Reflection on Trinity Sunday and Memorial Day
Today is unique as we recognize our fallen military heroes on Memorial Day and observe the Holy Trinity. These occasions invite reflection on unity, sacrifice, and love.
The Trinity and Memorial Day
Trinity Sunday celebrates God as three distinct but united persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. This unity represents perfect love and sacrifice.
On Memorial Day, we honor fallen heroes who reflect this sacrificial love. John 15:13 says, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."
Their sacrifice echoes Christ's love on the cross.
Humanity Created in God's Image
Genesis 1:26-27 tells us we are made in God’s image:
"Then God said, 'Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness' ... So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."
If God is a Trinity, does this imply we have a tripartite nature?
Why Yes, yes we do!
Exploring Our Tripartite Self
In Genesis 2:7, we see:
"Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being."
From this, we understand that we have a body (formed from dust) and a soul (given life by God's breath). Initially, Adam also had the Spirit of God, making him a complete tripartite being: body, soul, and spirit. But all know how well that ended...
The Fall and Its Consequences
Adam and Eve’s disobedience led to their expulsion from Eden, severing their direct connection with God. Genesis 3:22-23 explains:
"And the Lord God said, 'The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.' So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken."
That means that all of as - Post-fall humanity - are broken, possessing a body and soul but lacking the Spirit of God.
The Restoration Through Christ
God provided a way to restore us through Jesus Christ. When we accept Christ, we receive the Holy Spirit, re-establishing our tripartite nature. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit in John 14:16-17:
"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you."
Paul also reminds us in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20:
"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies."
Through our belief and faith in Christ (Pistis Christou) we are restored to our intended state – a body, a soul, and the Spirit of God within us! Ahh - wholeness again!
Living as a Tripartite Self
Understanding our tripartite nature has profound implications. Each part of our being – body, soul, and spirit – has a role to play. I think we all know this - but today is a day for reminders.
The Body
Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. We should care for them, use them for God's glory, and avoid actions that defile them. How is your health?
The Soul
Our soul encompasses our mind, will, and emotions. We are to renew our minds with God's Word, make choices that align with His will, and cultivate emotions that reflect His character.
Is it well with your soul?
The Spirit
The Spirit is our direct connection to God, empowering us to live out our faith, receive His guidance, and experience His presence. How is your prayer life?
In Closing
On this Trinity Sunday and Memorial Day, we recognize the significance of unity, sacrificial love, and divine promise. Our fallen heroes remind us of the high cost of freedom and selfless love. As beings created in God’s image, we are tripartite – body, soul, and spirit. Through Christ, we are restored and empowered to live fully for Him.
Let us honor this restoration by living as complete beings, reflecting God's nature. As we remember the fallen, let us also honor the One who laid down His life for our eternal freedom.
May God bless you, and may you walk in the fullness of your tripartite self, reflecting the glory of our triune God.
For His glory
Rev. D!
Today is unique as we recognize our fallen military heroes on Memorial Day and observe the Holy Trinity. These occasions invite reflection on unity, sacrifice, and love.
The Trinity and Memorial Day
Trinity Sunday celebrates God as three distinct but united persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. This unity represents perfect love and sacrifice.
On Memorial Day, we honor fallen heroes who reflect this sacrificial love. John 15:13 says, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."
Their sacrifice echoes Christ's love on the cross.
Humanity Created in God's Image
Genesis 1:26-27 tells us we are made in God’s image:
"Then God said, 'Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness' ... So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."
If God is a Trinity, does this imply we have a tripartite nature?
Why Yes, yes we do!
Exploring Our Tripartite Self
In Genesis 2:7, we see:
"Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being."
From this, we understand that we have a body (formed from dust) and a soul (given life by God's breath). Initially, Adam also had the Spirit of God, making him a complete tripartite being: body, soul, and spirit. But all know how well that ended...
The Fall and Its Consequences
Adam and Eve’s disobedience led to their expulsion from Eden, severing their direct connection with God. Genesis 3:22-23 explains:
"And the Lord God said, 'The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.' So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken."
That means that all of as - Post-fall humanity - are broken, possessing a body and soul but lacking the Spirit of God.
The Restoration Through Christ
God provided a way to restore us through Jesus Christ. When we accept Christ, we receive the Holy Spirit, re-establishing our tripartite nature. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit in John 14:16-17:
"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you."
Paul also reminds us in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20:
"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies."
Through our belief and faith in Christ (Pistis Christou) we are restored to our intended state – a body, a soul, and the Spirit of God within us! Ahh - wholeness again!
Living as a Tripartite Self
Understanding our tripartite nature has profound implications. Each part of our being – body, soul, and spirit – has a role to play. I think we all know this - but today is a day for reminders.
The Body
Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. We should care for them, use them for God's glory, and avoid actions that defile them. How is your health?
The Soul
Our soul encompasses our mind, will, and emotions. We are to renew our minds with God's Word, make choices that align with His will, and cultivate emotions that reflect His character.
Is it well with your soul?
The Spirit
The Spirit is our direct connection to God, empowering us to live out our faith, receive His guidance, and experience His presence. How is your prayer life?
In Closing
On this Trinity Sunday and Memorial Day, we recognize the significance of unity, sacrificial love, and divine promise. Our fallen heroes remind us of the high cost of freedom and selfless love. As beings created in God’s image, we are tripartite – body, soul, and spirit. Through Christ, we are restored and empowered to live fully for Him.
Let us honor this restoration by living as complete beings, reflecting God's nature. As we remember the fallen, let us also honor the One who laid down His life for our eternal freedom.
May God bless you, and may you walk in the fullness of your tripartite self, reflecting the glory of our triune God.
For His glory
Rev. D!
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