“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, so that He may be with you forever; the Helper is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him; but you know Him because He remains with you and will be in you.” (John 14:6-7 NASB)
In a response to one of my emails this week, a local pastor sent a brief response in the form of a math problem, to be specific an addition problem. It read like this: “1+1+1=1.” If you would have provided the answer on the right side of the equal sign in this addition problem while going through your early education math classes, you would get your paper back with a red check mark, back in my day. But the answer presented by the pastor is in fact, accurate. He was pointing to what is revealed in the opening Scripture. We serve a Triune God. There is a Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost and they make up the Godhead. All three of these Persons have been instrumental in our lives. The Father created mankind, and among other things, but certainly the best of things, in His administrative role, He decided to send His only begotten Son to save whosoever believes in Him. The Son, God in the flesh, Emmanuel, God in revelation, out of obedience to the Father, died for our sins on the cross. The Helper, the Holy Spirit, God the Spirit, was sent by God the Son to guide us, teach us, comfort us, and inspire us. So, as it relates to Theology, the aforementioned addition problem deserves an A+. It is correct.
Now for the algebra problem. In a group of no more than eleven people who attended the monthly Leadership Council for our church yesterday, I presented an algebra equation: 1>1 (One is greater than one.). Most math students would quickly respond by saying, “No way! It should be 1=1.” I hear you! But, from a theological or evangelistic perspective, the equation is absolutely accurate. It indicates how the kingdom of God is increased, expanded as we go ye therefore and make disciples; as we share the good news; as we invite others to “Come see a Man,” much like the Samarian women at the well in the closing verses. A one-on-one encounter ended up with more than one, many, believing in Jesus. So, as with the addition, the algebra is correct.
Have a good day worshipping this morning! Be thankful for our Triune God and think of how you can perpetuate, build, expand the kingdom of God. Be blessed!
“Jesus said to her, ‘Believe Me, woman, that a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, because salvation is from the Jews. But a time is coming, and even now has arrived, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.’ The woman said to Him, ‘I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us. Jesus said to her, “I am He, the One speaking to you.’” (John 4:21-26 NASB)
“Now from that city many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, ‘He told me all the things that I have done.’” (John 4:39 NASB)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King