Let Christ vs. Through Christ

 

Let Christ vs. Through Christ

Col 3:15-16 "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly."

John 14:6 "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"

1 Cor 15:57 "But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Phil 4:13 "I can do all this through him who gives me strength."

 

Aspect	Let Christ	Through Christ
Meaning	Allowing Christ to have authority in one's life, fulfilling His will	Using Christ as a medium or channel to accomplish something
Distinction	Emphasizes obedience and surrender, letting Christ lead and guide	Emphasizes Christ as mediator, source of strength and means of accomplishment
Examples	• Letting Christ's peace rule in your hearts (Col 3:15) • Christ living in me (Gal 2:20) • Christ dwelling in your hearts (Eph 3:17)	• Being reconciled to God through Christ (Rom 5:1) • Having victory through Christ (1 Cor 15:57) • Coming to the Father through Christ (John 14:6)
Application	The decisions, behaviors, and values ​​in life are all guided by Christ • Letting Christ's word dwell richly in your heart (Col 3:16) • Living out Christ's life rather than self (Gal 2:20) • Letting Christ's words dwell in you abundantly (Col 3:16)	Prayer, service, salvation, sanctification, and strength are all achieved through Christ • Gaining access to grace through Christ (Rom 5:2) • Doing all things through Christ who strengthens (Phil 4:13) • Offering praise to God through Jesus Christ (Heb 13:15)
Related Scriptures	• Gal 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me." • Eph 3:17 "So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith."	• Rom 5:1-2 "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand."
Interrelationship	This is the inner attitude and choice of Christian life	This is how Christians actually operate and experience
	These two concepts complement each other: when we let Christ rule in our lives (Col 3:15), we experience the power and grace that comes through Him (Phil 4:13); conversely, when we experience the salvation and power that comes through Christ,  we become more willing to let Christ be Lord in our lives (Gal 2:20).

  

Conclusion:

Although "letting Christ" and " through Christ" are different concepts, they are inseparable in the life of a Christian: when we let Christ reign in our lives, we can also gain strength and grace through Christ; and when we experience the grace gained through Christ, we are more willing to let Christ reign in our lives.

These two concepts together constitute an important foundation for Christian life:

 it is both an inner attitude towards life (let Christ) and an outer way of practice (through Christ).

  

*Please refer to the July 2024 Anaheim, California, USA training Experiencing, Enjoying, and Manifesting Christ (II) Week 20 The Way to Accept, Experience, and Enjoy the All-inclusive Christ as the All-inclusive Life-giving Spirit (who is the epitome of the all-inclusive blessings of God’s full gospel)