As the Creator, all His creatures owe Him honor, worship, service, and obedience. The Lord Jesus told us that when we do all that God demands we should not feel like we should get a reward for doing what we were obligated to do, for we are merely “unworthy servants” (Luke 17:7-10). It’s the duty of man to obey God and worship Him. Ecclesiastes 12:13 says, “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” We cannot forget the Westminster Shorter Catechism question 1:
Q. 1. What is the chief end of man?
A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever.
The goal of man’s existence is to be found in God, and not in self. We were made to worship God to live with Him forever. This goal was lost in the Fall, but regained on the cross for all those who have faith in the Son. We look forward to Paradise Regained with our Triune God.
§3 The Doctrine of the Holy Trinity
- In this divine and infinite Being there are three subsistences, the Father, the Word or Son, and Holy Spirit, 1 of one substance, power, and eternity, each having the whole divine essence, yet the essence undivided: 2 the Father is of none, neither begotten nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father; the Holy Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Son; all infinite, without beginning, therefore but one God, who is not to be divided in nature and being, but distinguished by several peculiar relative properties and personal relations; which doctrine of the Trinity is the foundation of all our communion with God, and comfortable dependence on him. 3
- Matt. 3:16-17; 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14
- Ex. 3:14; John 14:11; 1 Cor. 8:6
- Prov. 8:22-23; John 1:1-3, 14, 18; 3:16; 10:36; 15:26; 16:28; Heb. 1:2; 1 John 4:14; Gal 4:4-6
This God is trinitarian. The word subsistences points to the Persons of the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Yet we do not talk about three gods, but one substance of God, in other words, one God Who exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The three subsistences of the one substance of God have all power, and eternity in common. Each person is fully God in and of Himself and does not have a 1/3 of the divine being to Himself. Rather, each Person has the whole divine essence (substance, being). Yet this essence is undivided, meaning that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are fully God and share fully in the divine essence and are not “parts” of it.
Then comes the classic formulation of the Persons of the Trinity. This portion can be confusing and it may confound the mind. But should we be surprised that this great God is incomprehensible? Should we be surprised that there are many secrets and mysteries about His life and being? The Father is of none. Meaning that He is neither begotten nor proceeding. The Son is eternally begotten. It is important to note the word eternally here, which denotes that there was not a time when the Son did not exist. Begotten here, according to the historical usage of the word, does not mean created, but describes His relation to the Father as a Son. The Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son. This term again is used to describe the relationship of the Spirit to the Father and the Son. Lest there be any confusion, the Confession goes on to say ...