The facets of a diamond are individual and unique... and all the same diamond. God has likewise made himself known in individual and unique persons that are all part of one and the same essential being.
The essence of God is not diluted in his persons of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit anymore than the essence of a diamond is diluted by looking at an individual facet.
And God did not die to save us from God. He died to allow us to be with him. God does not punish us, we punish ourselves by deciding to not accept his grace and forgiveness.
Well put. Our choices in life have consequences, both physical and spiritual; God lays down boundries to protect us and teach us. It would be cruel, unfair, and mean of God NOT to punish sin; should Hitler get off scott free? the difficulty becomes that the level of perfection we need to be one with God is beyond us, so Jesus' sacrifice allows us to be clean enough to be one with God. There is punishment for evil, and Grace to allow us to rise beyond our shortcoings.
The mature response to God is gratitude that He would provide Grace to overcome our wilfullness and arrogance. We try to aim high, and when we do fail in the little things, Jesus is there to council us and forgive us. For myself, I am grateful to God that time and again, I can begin again, and am not stuck with in a hole with my failings, preventing me from even trying.
I am told that the Jehovah's Witnesses reject the Trinity because they belive Father+Son+Spirit equals 3 gods, and we are only to worship God. True, 1+1+1=3, but if you know a little math, 1x1x1=1. Works well for me.
“And God did not die to save us from God.”
Matthew 20:28 - even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Just curious; who do you think the ransom was paid to?
“God does not punish us, we punish ourselves by deciding to not accept his grace and forgiveness.”
Isaiah 13:11 - I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; I will put and end to the pomp of the arrogant, and lay low the pompous pride of the ruthless.