Print This Article“There is…One God and Father of all, Who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Eph. 4:6).
The seventh unity of the Spirit confirms that the Apostle Paul believed that there is only one God. Many, of course, have difficulty reconciling this with the fact that God is also a Trinity. Someone once said concerning the Trinity: “If you try to explain it you will lose your mind; if you deny it you will lose your soul.” There are many things in this life that I fail to fully understand, but that doesn’t mean they are not so.
The Bible emphatically teaches us that there is one God who eternally exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Even though this goes far beyond our comprehension we nevertheless accept it by faith, because this is the plain teaching of the Word of God. It is helpful to remember that God has stamped His creation with countless trinities, each of which bear testimony that the concept of the Trinity does not go beyond reason. Scientists, for example, inform us that the universe is made up of basically three components: space, time, and matter. But how many universes do we have—ONE! Water can be transformed into a solid (ice), a vapor, or into a liquid. Three forms but still water! When God created man in the beginning He created him a trinity—body, soul and spirit. One of the facets then of being created in the image of God is that we, too, are a trichotomy.
The Fatherhood of God
“One God and Father of all…” (Eph. 4:6).
There are some who incorrectly assume that God is the Father of the whole human race. A case in point are those in the religious community who frequently use the phrase, “the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man.” Needless to say, this teaching is a subtle attack upon the truth. Nowhere in the Scriptures is God referred to as the heavenly Father of the unbeliever. As a matter of fact, the words of our Lord to the unbelieving religious leaders of His day are worthy of our attention here:
“Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but He sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it” (John 8:42-44).
This stinging rebuke indicates that these ungodly leaders refused to receive the Lord. Consequently, they were intolerant of the notion that they were of their father the devil. The Master went on to add, “He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.” Contrary to popular belief, God is not the Father of those who spurn His love and cast doubt upon the counsel of His will. Unbelievers do have a father, but he is said to be the devil! And rightfully so, for they have followed Satan in his rebellion against God. The Apostle Paul concurs, stating that those who are dead in trespasses and sins walk “according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience” (Eph. 2:2).
Bringing our thoughts back to Ephesians 4:6, when the apostle makes a reference to God being the Father of all, dispensationally he has a specific group in mind. The revelation that there is only one God and Father is a well-established fact throughout Holy Scripture. What is often overlooked, however, is that a further revelation was given to Paul, in that God had predetermined before the foundation of the world to bring into existence a new entity known as the Body of Christ (Eph. 1:4,5). This has now been manifested through Paul’s gospel where we also learn the members of His Body have received a heavenly inheritance. Yes, God is the Father of believing Israel. However, the all of Ephesians 4:6 is to be limited to the believers of this age in which we are living.
When a father is handed his newborn son, a new relationship is created that can never be broken. Whether in life or death, the lad will always be the son of his father. Similarly, upon regeneration we are born from above into the family of God. So, it can be appropriately said that God is our Father and we have become His sons. Normally a father is a role model who provides for the future of his children. The same is true in the spiritual realm; we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, which springs from our relationship with the Father.
A Pauline View of God
“…Who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Eph. 4:6).
The transcendence and immanence of God are rich theological terms that describe two precious truths concerning our heavenly Father. The transcendence of God simply means that God transcends or is far above and beyond His creation. He is sovereign, eternal, being infinite in holiness, righteousness, wisdom, and knowledge. God’s supremacy is clearly seen in Daniel 4:35 where the prophet states:
“And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and He doeth according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, What doest Thou?”
Peering into the heavens through a powerful telescope only serves to show how insignificant man is in relation to the universe around him. Astronomers could only shake their heads in amazement when they discovered that there are other galaxies beyond the Milky Way. To whom shall we attribute the wonders of the starry heavens? And who placed the earth the precise distance from the sun? None other than the Lord God Almighty! Personally, I take great comfort in the sovereignty of God, that He is in control of all things.
The immanence of God teaches us that God is actively involved in the lives of His own. Paul makes this explicitly clear in the above passage when he says that God is working “through all,” that is, through each member of the Body of Christ. Obviously, the Apostle Paul did not hold to a deistic view of God. Deism denies that God exercises a constant providential control over His creation and that He never answers the prayers of His children.
The epistles of St. Paul abound with references as to how God is actively involved in both the spiritual and physical aspects of our lives. God is well-pleased when He acts in response to our prayers, as it is according to His will, of course. Being blessed with all spiritual blessings does not negate His willingness to supply for our physical needs as well.
Who could fail to see that God also intervened in the case of Epaphroditus. “…He was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him…” (Phil. 2:27). It is strongly implied that the Philippians, and Paul himself, prayed for this dear brother that God would raise him up, and indeed he did—in connection with their prayers. And note: God healed Epaphroditus for Paul’s sake too, “…lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.” It should be added here that the recovery of Epaphroditus was not due to the natural healing process that is programmed into the body. Rather it was a direct result of GOD’S MERCY upon him and Paul. Had God not intervened Epaphroditus undoubtedly would have died.
We should be careful to add that many times the response we receive back from heaven in answer to our prayers is “My grace is sufficient for thee….” In this event we are able to take comfort in the truth that, “…the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
We are to understand that sometimes God has a higher purpose in mind for not healing our loved one or Christian friend. It is not necessarily a lack of faith on the petitioner’s part. Possibly, the affliction is allowed as a test or perhaps to draw the individual into a closer walk with the Lord. Sometimes it’s to bring a family closer together, or even more importantly, that God’s strength might be made perfect in our weakness. Whatever the case may be, may God receive all the honor and glory that is due His name (2 Cor. 12:7-10).
Shall we bind the hands of God today to say that He will never heal the sick or supply our needs in answer to our prayers? Paul’s revelation and experience unite to declare otherwise. Our heavenly Father is a loving Father who wants us to bring all of our cares before Him. Such is the case with any father. He is interested in every detail of our lives, including those seemingly incidental things.
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