But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.

John 16:13-14 (NIV)

 

Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.

John 17:1 (NIV)

 

Perichoresis is the word used to describe the eternal and loving oneness of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The word literally translates to “circle dance” or “dance around together”. It denotes a mutually reciprocal relationship where the three are one—yet without losing their distinction. In this dance, each person revolves around the other two, all co-equal and co-eternal and co-existence.

The Apostle John describes this unparalleled and unique relationship in the following way. The Son glorifies the Father, (John 17:4) and the Father glorifies the Son (John 17:5) and the Holy Spirit glorifies the Son (John 16:14). Although all three Persons of the Trinity shared the same nature, they do not share the same roles of authority. The Father sends the Son, and the Son sends the Holy Spirit, and the Father is sent by none.

Each plays an active and distinct role in our salvation. The Father is the primary architect of our salvation before the foundation of the world. The Son, Jesus is the perfect accomplisher of our salvation through His complete and finished work on the cross. The Holy Spirit is the powerful agent who brings all the blessings of our salvation to us by dwelling in us.

This divine dance of love of the Trinity is not exclusive but is ever inclusive and inviting.

Our stories are intertwined and connected to God’s love story of salvation. Indeed, salvation is of God, (Romans 9:16), from God (Ephesians 2:8-9), through God (Romans 3:24-25; 5: 9) and for God (Ephesians 1:6.11). We have been adopted into God's family by His grace because God is love and has revealed His great love for us in the atoning death of Christ. This allows the Holy Spirit to perfect God's love in and through us. As a result, we may understand that our salvation is the Triune God's revelation of Himself to us, as well as His eternal life of love for us.