How we relate with the Holy Trinity is doctrinally personal though the church is a corporate body- the body of Christ; (And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Ephesians 1:22-23|NKJV). You don’t become a son in God by association with believers or observation of Christian liturgy. The relationship is anchored on the Holy scriptures -Logos and the revelation through the Holy Spirit -Rhema. One has to appreciate both the Logos and the Rhema- Logos as the pure breath of God- Prov 30:5 “Every word of God is pure;” 2 Tim 3: 16 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,”. That suffices for a man to relate with God through the written Word of God knowing that it was authored by Him through His Spirit ministering to men as inspiration in divers ways.
The teaching and the doctrine of Christ is not primarily based on revelation; it is founded on the written Word in which hidden is wisdom and knowledge that is revealed to us bit by bit; The backbone of any revelation that points to the Divinity is the Logos. Not all revelation points to the Divinity since some will point on issues in life and others to actions and things we need to do for life and existence as human- Words of wisdom. It’s important to note that Logos alone is not enough to produce a perfect man, neither the Rhema- the proceeding Word of God; we need both for edification and teaching to produce a perfect man. Jesus when responding to the Enemy in the wilderness of temptation, He said, “But He answered and said, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. ” Matthew 4:4|NKJV. This quote is more than the physical bread and the word we hear; it is figurative and symbolical language: The word ‘living’ is not reference to physical existence, but the means or system through which believes and doctrine are curved out. On the other hand, the ‘bread ‘represent the Written Scriptures while the ‘The Word that proceeds’ is the Rhema.
- Living by the bread alone:- Is assuming the Logos alone as it is as the system through which teaching and doctrines are founded. Believes are based and revolve around the written Word without any allowance to the interpretation of meaning through the Holy Spirit. This produces a legalistic system of believe and practices. Legalistic system is like flesh without blood.
- Living by the Proceeding Word from the mouth of God:- Is adopting the word that is coming to us by the Spirit of God which is the Rhema. Teaching and Doctrine cannot be based on revelation alone without the written word since the Written word is the mirror of the Rhema. A ministry tha whose system of believe and doctrine is founded on revelations alone will become a house of diviners and spiritists. When the Enemy knows that you do not reflect revelation and words of wisdom in the light of the Written word, he will creep in and establish a throne in your midst. This Apostle Paul affirms the position of the Scripture in our lives “as profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instructions in righteousness”.
We need to exercise our spiritual lives to maintain a balanced lifestyle of living by the bread and the proceeding Word from God through His Spirit. We will strick the balance when our systems and teaching and curving of doctrine is based both on the Logos and commitment to listening what the Spirit is saying in the present times; while believing and acting in obedience to that voice in light of the Scriptures.
Our relationship with God as a Father is dependent on our understanding of the manner in which He has come to us. Relating with God as a Father is primarily personal, revelatory and dictated by our acceptance of His Fatherhood over us. There are Believers who, though being born again, they are unable to see and receive God as a Father. It’s paramount to understand that God has not imposted His Fatherhood over anybody. Instead, He “sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts crying, Abba Father” Galatians 4:6b. The Spirit of His son is what makes a difference in us in the way and pattern of our relationship with God. This scripture remains as a rhyme and well sounding phrase until one receives the revelation that enlightens our understanding- the Rhema is the breath of God that gives fresh life and understanding to the Logos.
receiving His Son, we receive the Spirit who adopts us into the Fatherhood of God. “And because you are sons” Galatians 4: 6a; If one be a son then there has to be a father; hence, we being sons of God, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: John 1:12|NKJV”, He is our Father because we received His Son who gave us the right (authority, power) to become sons of God. This understanding of God as a Father is vital in preparing us to allow His exercise Fatherhood authority over us. We are at liberty to allow God to discipline us or not. Mark this, allowing God to exercise Fatherhood authority over us means you are able to positively and obediently relate with His corrections and re-direction. “For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?” Hebrews 12:6-9|NKJV.
This portion clearly illustrates that God is our Father and thus He treats us as His sons. We became sons of God through His Son Jesus Christ in whom we are adopted into the Fatherhood of God, and for that reason, we are legitimate sons and He exercises authority to chastise us. Hence, reading this scriptures without the receiption of the revelation is futile. As we believe in this Word and exercise our spirits in waiting on the Lord, we receive the rhema in respect to this scripture; the life in this word that births the Father- son relationship. The understanding of God as a Father completes the knot of the relationship. We are perfectly known to God as His sons but our knowledge of Him as our Father is a progressive revelation.
This understanding is important for a believer lest he/she views and relates with God as a commander and Judge yet even in His unmatched sovereignty, He is a Father to us. It is for us to have this revelation through His Spirit who in us cries out ‘Abba’ (Which means Father)
The revelation and understanding of Christ as The Son (The Son of God) is of equal breath of importance. He was acknowledged by God (His Father) as ‘My Son’. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17|NKJV. Before He was Jesus Christ, He was and is the Son of God. Christ appears before God as The Son. This name Son is not a title of identification but the position of Him in the Trinity.
The mention or declaration of Christ as ‘Son’ is not of words and context contention in a Christian’s life. It is a matter of Spiritual consciousness with respect to our relationship with Him (Christ). Christ completion of the work and ascension back to His glorious throne did not change the manner and way He was given to the world by God the Father. He was sent as ‘a Son’ and we need to abide in that understanding consciously for the purpose of correct and accurate doctrine. “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6|NKJV). We do not relate with Him as ‘a child’ (one who is immature and untrained) but as to ‘a Son’ (perfected in wisdom and knowledge) because He is of and from God.
In conclusion, Calling God ‘Father’ and Jesus Christ ‘Son’ is a matter of relationship with Holy trinity and Spiritual consciousness through the ministration of the Spirit in us.
Patrick Ichoya 