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)
No comments:
Post a Comment