…from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Summary: Paul’s use of both the Father and the Son point us to an enduring truth.
When Paul gifts Timothy with “grace, mercy, and peace,” he doesn’t just say “from God.” Instead, he points us to two different beings: God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
What do you think of when you read that? Does it make you wonder if you should pray to both of them when you pray? Jesus famously said, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30). Doesn’t that mean that praying to one is the same as praying to the other?
The answer to these questions has to do with the difficulty we humans have in understanding the amazing dynamics of the spiritual realm.
When Jesus was talking with Nicodemus, he explained that for people to see the kingdom of God, they have to be “born again” (John 3:3). Nicodemus is puzzled. He doesn’t understand at all. Jesus, in turn, expresses amazement at Nicodemus’s puzzlement:
“I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?” (John 3:12)
How indeed!
Look at how the Bible portrays Jesus in the Book of Revelation:
“…among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.” (Revelation 1:13-16)
Among the descriptors is a sword coming out of his mouth? Why?
Later, John writes:
“Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.” (Revelation 5:6)
Here we see Jesus as a lamb, looking dead, with seven eyes.
What is going on here?
The Bible uses images to reveal God’s nature to us. If Paul uses both names, that doesn’t change the fact that Jesus and the Father are one.
Application: “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” — Jesus, John 14:9
Food for Thought: What is the best way for us to approach these kinds of statements about God?
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I thought about this meditation and question quite a bit. There is a lot of mystery behind God and Jesus. For me to try and “fully comprehend” Him would lead me to a place where I define Him by my own experience. I think that only serves to either pride or despair. So I think this is a good start: approach these kinds of statements about God with fear of the Lord. Not terror, but deep awe, reverence, and respect; humility. I believe God has revealed Himself to me in the measure that leads me closer to Him. He knows my intimate thoughts, and knows the measure that is appropriate.
Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
Second, trust. Just because I do not know everything about Him, as was on the day I accepted Christ as my savior, that ignorance is not a precursor of my belief in Him. When I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior, the basic understanding I had was sufficient for me to place my faith in Him. I placed my faith in hope, and not in knowledge. And I also know that my understanding of Him grows as He transforms my heart and mind. I can trust the Lord because He has demonstrated to me that His Will is good.
Psalm 139:1–2 O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar
Proverbs 3:5–6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Third, God being God, is beyond my comprehension. I just have to face the fact that trying to condense the Almighty Creator into human words and thoughts is like trying to squeeze an aircraft carrier onto the head of a pin. He has created us in His image, but His ways are not our ways.
Isaiah 55:8–9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Very Good, thanks
🙂
Thank you, Chris!
Mystery, trust, and the limits of comprehension all belong in this conversation.
PS – I really like the aircraft carrier/pin illustration! 🙂
The Bible does clearly teach that we serve a Triune God. I find it helpful to differentiate between God’s Being and His Personhood. As human beings we are all human and this speaks to the nature or essence that we have in common. But a person is distinct in the human race. It is not new to me, but I think of God’s nature or essence as His Being. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one in nature or essence as they are the same Being. Personhood refers to the distinct Persons of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit who relate to one another and have always existed in a loving relationship.
Thus when Jesus says if you have seen Me you have seen the Father. Jesus ilia His own Person but by looking at Jesus we see the exact character and nature of the Father.
This may help no one else at all, but for some reason it helps me so I share in hopes that it might help someone else.
Rich,
Thank you! I think you hit on something that is important: We all come at these things from a slightly different perspective. It is not wrong to describe the same thing two different ways.
What is the best way for us to approach these kinds of statements about God?
1 PETER 5:6, Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
LUKE 14:11, For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
Empty ourselves, lie facedown in the dirt and allow God to deliver understanding in “His time.” Focus on His Sovereignty, allow Him to work in our hearts according to His will, in His timing.
MARK 10:45, For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
MATTHEW 11:29, Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
As believers we remain on earth to serve God by submitting to His will over our own, and experience the reality of His love for all mankind.
Thank you, Ron!
I love this approach! Facedown in the dirt is a great description of humility before God.