TERRIFIC THREES

“Two's company...three's a crowd.”

Perhaps in some circles, the above saying is true. It never works for a married couple to have a third party involved in their marriage if the husband or wife is having a relationship outside the marriage. With many teenagers, when wanting to be with their best friend only, may resent the presence of another teenager. When we think of “threes” it doesn't conjure up positive thoughts.

When in high school and at our church, there were three of us girls who sang in a trio. Judy had a beautiful soprano voice, Donna had a beautiful alto voice and then there was me. There wasn't much beautiful about my lower “honker” alto voice, but the three of us managed to put a trio together. Many of the church members liked hearing us sing in church. We enjoyed singing together. The three of us read music so the trio came together pretty easy. One thing about a trio though is that it isn't worth anything if each one doesn't sing the correct part. There must also be an effort made to blend together as much as possible. I love trio music and we enjoyed those days. When singing in a trio, the simple fact is that three people are required, so threes aren't always negative.

Any lady who has been in any of my recent Bible studies knows that I have been absolutely fascinated with “threes” in Scripture. I can't share the entire list I've accumulated, but will share some that have special meaning in my own life.

I must start with the “trinity.” A few years ago, a lady told me that she didn't believe in the trinity because one can't find that word in Scripture. She's right about the lack of the word in the Bible, but we can't discount the fact that in various places in Scripture, the three persons of the trinity are mentioned together, especially in the beginning of some of Paul's letters, for instance:

...who was declared the Son of GOD with power
by the resurrection from the dead, according to the
SPIRIT of holiness, JESUS CHRIST our Lord.
Romans 1:4

There is a very profound teaching of Jesus that I sometimes want to yell at my television set when I see teachers and some preachers talking who seem to ignore some very basics of our faith, one being, when Jesus stated:

I am the way, the truth, and the life.
No man cometh to the Father but by me.
John 14:6

Despite what the world says about making it's own way to spiritual success, Heaven is impossible for them without recognizing Jesus as THE way, THE truth and THE life. We don't get to our Father without Jesus, our Savior. That's an important trio.

The things about our faith that distinguishes us from all other beliefs is that of LOVE. We can find the importance of love all through Scripture. The basic verses in the Old Testament and repeated in the New Testament are so foundational as to who we are supposed to be. It's the badge we wear that says who we are.

We've read this last verse in I Corinthians 13 often, perhaps not giving it much thought, but Paul thought it important. Verse 13 says:

Now abideth faith, hope and love, but
the greatest of these is love.

It doesn't mean the first two things aren't important, but without love, faith and hope don't mean as much in the whole scenario of things.

The next trio may not seem significant but has been very noticeable to me in studying the book of Mark and reading in the other three Gospels, that is:

“Peter, James and John....”

When disciples are listed in the Gospels, invariably one can see the same three men listed in the same order each time. They made up Jesus' inner circle. I wondered about Peter (foot in mouth, rash, weak in many ways) because Peter was so human that led one to wonder about his future in ministry. Check out the book of Acts after the filling of the Holy Spirit where Peter was a ball of fire for Jesus. What an encouragement to me that despite my weaknesses, Jesus can teach me, love me and change me into what He wants me to be. Thanks Peter!

At the beginning of Jesus' ministry in Matthew 4, Satan arrived in the wilderness to tempt Jesus and with every temptation, Jesus answered Satan with Scripture. Check it out...Satan tempted Jesus in three ways...physically, emotionally (mentally) and spiritually. At the same time, in I John 2:16, John speaks of the same three things we too are confronted with.

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh
and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life
is not from the Father, but is from the world.

I have loved Luke 2:52 since I was a little girl. It had to do with Jesus' growth from babyhood to adulthood. I believe it's an indicator as to how we too are supposed to grow. This verse states:

And Jesus increased in WISDOM and STATURE '
and in FAVOR with God and man.

Let me share one more of the many I have found that is a very convicting verse for me personally. This verse is found in James 1:19.

Wherefore, my beloved brethren,
let every man be
swift to hear slow to speak, and
slow to wrath.

That's a threesome that is rather uncomfortable for me. I'm to listen more, speak less and refrain from anger no matter the circumstances.

I give you these “Terrific Threes” to whet your appetite that as you read Scripture, you might be alert to such treasures, that make for wonderful trios without music.

Father, I thank You for being my Father and for sending Your son Jesus to do all for me He did to save, and secure for me a place with You in Heaven. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit who teaches me from my Bible the directions for my life. I love all three of You dearly....Amen