“I know,” Stan began, “that you are familiar with the Holy Trinity.”
“Sure am!” I replied. “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Fabulous! There’s a lot I don’t understand, but God is working on me with that.”
“He is working on me as well,” Stan said, “but I want to point out that there are at least two other trinities that are at work to impede the work of the Holy Trinity.”
“Two other trinities? What are you talking about, Stan?”
“There may well be others,” Stan responded, “but the first other trinity that occurs to me is the trinity of the world, the flesh, and the devil. That trinity is always at work trying to keep me distracted from what God has for me.”
“Secondly,” Stan continued, “there is the trinity of me, myself, and I.”
“I can see,” I responded, “that both of these other trinities could be called the ‘unholy trinities’.”
“Exactly!” Stan exclaimed. “As contrasted to the Holy Trinity.”
Continuing, he said, “The first trinity of the world, the flesh, and the devil is all a part of living on this side of eternity.”
“I am constantly bombarded. We all are constantly bombarded. All I have to do to see it is look around. If I don’t see that bombardment, I am not paying attention. I am simply not looking closely enough and that is exactly what the evil one wants!”
“The second trinity of me, myself, and I,” Stan added, “is less obvious to the seeing eye, but it is certainly clear as a bell to me when I look. That is the trinity that is constantly getting in the way of my being and doing what God intends for me.”
“This is a big subject,” Stan said, “and we will revisit it regularly because it is important.”
“After all,” Stan concluded, “it is essential for me to remember at all times that Jesus said the first step of discipleship is for me to deny myself.”
“For me, that clearly means that the trinity of me, myself, and I has to be denied at all times as long as God keeps me on this side of eternity. There are constant choices for me to make in order for me to walk with the Holy Trinity.”
“If,” he concluded, “I don’t choose to keep both of the unholy trinities out of my life, the trinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit will not be able to be manifested in and through me.”
“It’s not that I am in danger of losing my salvation,” Stan added, “but I sure am in danger of losing the effectiveness of being the disciple God intends for me while He leaves me here on this side of eternity.”
_________________________________________
In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. John 16:33.
Work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:12, 13.
If any one wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, . . . . Matthew 16:24.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for the fact of the Holy Trinity of you, along with your Son and the Holy Spirit. You know how much I can struggle in dealing with the unholy trinities of the world, the flesh, and the devil, along with me, myself, and I. Thank you that you provide all I need to deal with those unholy trinities. I confess that too often I choose not to reject those trinities because I choose to walk a path away from you. Please forgive me. And please, Father, help me in following your every step so that your Holy Trinity is at the center of my being as long as you keep me on this side of eternity. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
_________________________________
Things to think (and journal) about:
1. What is your biggest take-away from this devotional?
2. What does this devotional say about God and about us as His people?
3. What is God saying to you to do personally?
4. Who can you share this with to make a difference?
_____________________________
Comments, questions, suggestions, and the like can be addressed to The Storyteller at: waiting4thetrain@gmail.com.
Waiting for the Train 