As we reflect on the gospel and God’s work in saving sinners, at times we may forget that our salvation isn’t simply the work of the Father–it isn’t simply the work of the Son–it isn’t simply the work of the Spirit, but it is the working of the Father, Son, and Spirit, our Triune God.
In his excellent book, The Deep Things of God: How the Trinity Changes Everything, Fred Sanders notes:
“…the Trinity is the gospel. More expansively said: the good news of salvation is that God, who in himself is eternally the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, has become for us the adoptive Father, the incarnate Son, and the outpoured Holy Spirit. God the Father sent the Son to do something for us and the Spirit to be something in us, to bring us into the family life of God” (p. 165).
This morning’s prayer from The Valley of Vision, beautifully captures and offers praise for the work of the Trinity in the salvation of those who believe in Christ. I hope it leads you to a fuller understanding of God’s triune work in our salvation.
THREE IN ONE, ONE IN THREE, GOD OF MY SALVATION,
Heavenly Father, blessed Son, eternal Spirit,
I adore thee as one Being, one Essence,
one God in three distinct Persons,
for bringing sinners to thy knowledge and thy kingdom.
O Father, thou hast loved me and sent Jesus to redeem me;
O Jesus, thou hast loved me and assumed my nature,
shed thine own blood to wash away my sins,
wrought righteousness to cover my unworthiness;
O Holy Spirit, thou hast loved me and entered my heart,
implanted there eternal life,
revealed to me the glories of Jesus.
Three Persons and one God, I bless and praise thee,
for love so unmerited, so unspeakable, so wondrous,
so mighty to save the lost and raise them to glory.
O Father, I thank thee that in fullness of grace
thou hast given me Jesus,
to be his sheep, his jewel, his portion;
O Jesus, I thank thee that in fullness of grace
thou hast accepted, espoused, bound me;
O Holy Spirit, I thank thee that in fullness of grace
thou has exhibited Jesus as my salvation,
implanted faith within me,
subdued by stubborn heart,
made me one with him forever.
O Father, thou art enthroned to hear my prayers,
O Jesus, thy hand is outstretched to take my petitions,
O Holy Spirit, thou art willing to help my infirmities,
to show me my need, to supply my words, to pray within me,
to strengthen me that I faint not in supplication.
O Triune God, who commandeth the universe,
thou hast commanded me to ask for these things
that concern thy kingdom and my soul.
Let me pray and live as one baptized into the threefold Name.
[Taken from The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions, ed. Arthur Bennett (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1975), 3.]
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