Why the Trinity Matters: How Knowing God Changes Everything

Andrei Rublev’s Trinity icon depicting three angelic figures symbolizing the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

We can’t truly know ourselves unless we know God. And we can’t truly know God unless we understand why the Trinity matters. The doctrine that God eternally exists as three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit isn’t just a theological concept—it’s the foundation for everything we believe and everything we are.

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Start Here: The Trinity in the Bible

Want to see how the Trinity is present from the very beginning of the Bible?

👉 The Trinity in Creation: Unlocking Genesis 1:1 5

Then walk through the doctrine itself in this three-part series:

The Trinity: More Than Doctrine

In this final post, we bring it all together to explore how the truth of the Trinity—God as one in nature, equal in glory, and distinct in relations—shapes our faith, identity, and daily life.

Gold Trinity knot (Triquetra) symbol representing the Christian doctrine of the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—on a transparent background.The Definition We’ve Been Exploring

Throughout this series, we’ve been diving into a single sentence—a theological summary shared by my professor, Dr. Scott Horrell of Dallas Theological Seminary:

“The one true God who eternally exists as three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—one in nature, equal in glory, and distinct in relations.”

We’ve already looked at what it means for God to be one, and who the Father, Son, and Spirit are. Now we’ll explore the final words of this definition—and why they’re more than just doctrine. They’re a roadmap for worship, relationship, and transformation.

 

One in Nature, Equal in Glory

Deep breath. We’re almost there.

We’ve already seen that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are each fully God—not one-third God each, but fully and completely God. Because each person of the Trinity is fully God, they share the same divine nature. In other words, they are the same substance, the same essence, the same being—they all three share the same divine attributes.

The Father is not more eternal than the Spirit, and the Spirit is not more powerful than the Son.

They are all equally:

  • Eternal (Psalm 90:2)

  • All-knowing (Psalm 139:1–4)

  • All-powerful (Isaiah 45:7)

  • Holy (Isaiah 6:3)

And because they are one in nature, they are also equal in glory. All deserve our worship. None is greater or less. One isn’t less than another.

These shared attributes tell us that we can trust God. He is constant, faithful, and holy. In a world full of shifting values, our triune God is our true north. This is the God we worship—and the God who knows us.

Distinct in Relations, United in Purpose

Not only are the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit unified in nature, but they are also distinct in how they relate to one another.

Outside of time:

  • The Father is unbegotten—the source of the Trinity.

  • The Son is eternally begotten—not made, but always God.

  • The Spirit eternally proceeds from the Father and the Son.

Within time, they reveal themselves through distinct roles in creation and redemption:

  • In creation, the Father initiates the divine plan, the Son carries it out by creating all things, and the Holy Spirit brings life, order, and beauty to creation (See John 1:3; Colossians 1:16; Genesis 1:2; Psalm 104:30).

  • In redemption, the Father initiates the plan to save us, the Son accomplishes it through His death and resurrection, and the Holy Spirit applies redemption by sealing and sanctifying believers (See: Ephesians 1:4–7, 13–14; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2).

Although within time, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit each have a distinct role in the Trinity, their work flows from their perfect unity. The Godhead’s relational nature reflects perfect harmony and mutual love—something we are called to imitate in our own relationships, communities, and churches.

Theologians refer to this eternal unity and love as perichoresis—a Greek term meaning mutual indwelling. It is often described as the divine dance of the Trinity.

Jesus expresses this mystery in John 14:10:

“Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works.”

Each Person of the Trinity fully shares in the life of the others without blending or confusion.

And in John 17:21, Jesus prayed that this same kind of unity would also be reflected in His people:

“…that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us…”

The Trinity’s deep, self-giving relationship models the kind of unity we are meant to reflect: not sameness, but harmony rooted in love.

Masaccio’s Holy Trinity fresco showing God the Father behind the crucified Christ, with the Holy Spirit as a dove above, and figures of Mary and John at the foot of the cross.The Trinity and Your Walk with Christ

We have established that the three persons of the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—are eternally loving and perfectly relational. The very reason we exist is because God is loving and relational. Made in His image, we are created for love and relationship and, like the Triune God, we are called to be self-giving.

Jesus, the image of the invisible God, shows us what the Triune God is like and what we are meant to be like. In Him, we see compassion, forgiveness, truth, faithfulness, and peace—qualities that should shape our walk with Christ.

Going Deeper: Know the Triune God Personally

The Trinity isn’t just an obscure theological doctrine to believe—it’s so much more than that. It’s a relationship to enter. It’s a way of life.

The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit invite us into fellowship with God Himself. And when you know who He is, people take notice.

You begin to live differently. Your thoughts and your actions start to reflect Him. His love grounds you. His grace empowers you. And His eternal purpose draws you closer to Him.

If you’re ready to go deeper, here are two ways to continue:

👉 Read: The Trinity in Creation – Unlocking Genesis 1: 1–5

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