#2: The Godhead (Part 2 of 2)

Now let's speak about the dynamics of the Godhead.

God is interesting because He is three in one_[1]. There are three persons, each who carry the same divine nature and mission. They are equal in power and strength and divinity. They have a harmony of purpose -- all votes are unanimous. Though they all have almighty power, they defer to one another. They allow the other(s) to give them commands_[2]. It is a harmonious union, one without flaw.

Wile there are three persons to the Godhead, God emphasized strongly to the children of Israel: "The LORD our God is one LORD."_[3] There was to be no mistake -- God is one. Israel was not to be as the heathens around them_[4]. They were not to have a Baal for rain and an Asherah for fertility; they were not to pray to a Poseidon for the stilling of the waters and then to an Apollo for healing. NO: they were to have one God over all. He proves His all-encompassing power in the Egyptian plagues by overthrowing all that to them was dear_[5]. He wanted to show His people that God is ONE.

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In the same way, God has made His people to be individuals that operate as one body -- a perfect harmony, if you would. He has ordained this is marriage and in His church.

1. In a marital relationship, the two become one flesh_[6]. This is true physically, emotionally, and psychologically. They are not to lose their individuality; they are not to be swallowed up into the personality of another. But each is to love the other with so much love and heart-felt desire that they are willing to humble themselves and defer to the will of the other party, so long as it does not conflict with the will of God in any way_[7]. The wife is to submit to her husband, and the husband is to love his wife unconditionally_[8]. The divine parallel to this is Jesus as the husband and the church as His bride. Jesus, being higher than us, is to be submitted to: we are to humble our selves and our wills before Him_[9]. Yet, though above us, Christ does not shame us; He loves us unconditionally_[10].
2. While speaking of the church, let us remember that we are all the bride of Christ_[11]. But God does not advocate the having of multiple wives; we, as the body of Christ, are to be one_[12]. Though we are each unique in our talents, gifts, personalities, and backgrounds, we all are members of the body. The body has many parts -- sometimes two of each part. There are arms and legs that aid the church in moving forward. There are ears and eyes that work as watchmen. There is the mouth that speaks words of truth. But all of these parts do not operate on their own. We must also remember the workers behind the scenes -- those who act as the muscles, and tendons, and nerves, and cells. Most importantly of all is the brain, and that is Jesus Christ. He operates the controls; He is the reason why we can move at all; and without Him, we are nothing. Working together, each doing our individual part and each working towards the same goal, we can accomplish the work that God has for us to do.

Scriptural References:

1. Notice the plurality in Genesis 1:26 and Genesis 11:5-7
2. John 14:10, 13, 16, 24, 26, 28, 31; John 15:8-10, 26; John 16:7, 13-15, 25-28; John 17:1-2, 4-5, 21
3. Deuteronomy 6:4
4. Deuteronomy 12:29-32; Deuteronomy 18:9; Jeremiah 10:2-4
5. Exodus 7-10
6. Genesis 2:18-24; Ephesians 5:31
7. 1 Peter 5:5; Ephesians 5:21; Acts 4:19
8. Ephesians 5:22, 25, 28-29, 33; Colossians 3:18-19
9. Ephesians 5:23-24; James 4:7
10. John 15:13; Ephesians 5:23-27
11. Revelation 19:7-9; 21:9-11; Ephesians 5:30-32
12. Ephesians 4:4-7; 1 Corinthians 12