The Teaching of Love

Yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist (1Cor. 8.6 ESV)

There is only one (unbegotten) God. Jesus said He was unable to do anything from Himself but what the Father is doing: Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise (Jn. 5.19 ESV). The basis of this divine activity is because the Father loves the Son and shows Him all that He is doing (vs. 20). Therefore, an inter-Trinitarian love is revealed. This verse (19), also demonstrates one will in the Trinity. In Jn. 5.30, Jesus again reiterates that He is not able (ou dunamai) to do anything except the will of the Father who sent Him. Therefore, Jesus’ judgment is righteous and just because it is the same as the Father’s will. Since Jesus’ incarnation (the Son of Man), all authority over the human realm is given to Him (vs. 27).

The relations are eternal. The Father has always been Father of the Son and the Son has always been Son to the Father. The Spirit always proceeds from the Father as well. Another eternal relation from the Father to the Son is “Life in Himself,” (Jn. 5.26) so that Jesus also has “life in Himself.” This quality is likewise eternal and shows direction between the persons. The Messiah is now revealed to be the Eternal Son and fully deserving of the same honor as the Father (vs. 23).

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