Christ in Us vs. Deeper Shepherding

 

Christ in Us vs. Deeper Shepherding

Heb. 13:20–21 “Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, in the blood of an eternal covenant, perfect you in every good work… working in us that which is well pleasing in His sight.”

Aspect	Christ in Us	Deeper Shepherding
Meaning	Christ as the life-giving Spirit dwells in us, mingling with us, becoming our life and everything (John 14:17, 20).	Christ as the Shepherd not only supplies life but also reaches into our soul (mind, emotion, will), supervising and adjusting us unto maturity (1 Pet. 2:25).
Symbol	Indwelling, union, inward reality of God with man.	Nourishing, caring, adjusting, perfecting—showing the Shepherd’s concern and the healing of the soul.
Distinction	Focuses on the indwelling reality—the Triune God and man becoming one entity.	Focuses on the care of the soul—inwardly adjusting us so that we may live out God’s will.
Explanation	Christ as the second Comforter (the Spirit of reality) dwells in the believers, making the Father, the Son, and the Spirit one with the believers  (John 14:16–20).	Christ as the Good Shepherd, the Chief Shepherd, and the Great Shepherd not only outwardly guides but inwardly supervises the condition of the soul, bringing believers into maturity  (John 10:11; 1 Pet. 5:4; Heb. 13:20–21).
Example	A believer experiences the indwelling Christ in the spirit, receiving comfort, strength, and supply of life (John 15:4–5).	A believer in weakness or failure experiences Christ shepherding his soul, as Peter was restored by the Lord’s shepherding (John 21:15–17).
Application	Practice to live in the spirit, letting Christ make His home in our heart, enjoying His presence and fellowship, living a union life.	Receive shepherding in the soul, allowing the Lord to renew the mind, adjust the emotion, and correct the will, to live out a mature expression of Christ.
Mutual Relationship	“Christ in us” is the foundation and beginning—He first indwells us.	“Deeper shepherding” is the continuation—He further cares in our soul for maturity.
Related Scriptures	John 10:11 “I am the good Shepherd; the good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” 1 Pet. 2:25 “For you were like sheep being led astray, but you have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” John 14:16–17 “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter… that He may be with you forever, even the Spirit of reality… He abides with you and shall be in you.” John 14:20 “In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.”	John 10:14–16 “I am the good Shepherd, and I know My own… I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also… and they will become one flock, one Shepherd.” 1 Pet. 5:4 “And when the Chief Shepherd is manifested, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” Rev. 7:16–17 “They will not hunger anymore, neither will they thirst anymore… For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and guide them to springs of waters of life.”

 

Key Points:

• Christ in us = life, union, indwelling reality.
• Deeper shepherding = soul’s care, adjustment, and maturity.
• Together = God’s organic salvation leading to His eternal purpose.

 

Conclusion:
Christ first indwells us as life, then continues as the Shepherd to care for our soul. These two aspects are inseparable: indwelling is the beginning, shepherding is the deepening process, both fulfilling God’s eternal economy.

 

*Please refer to the June 2025 Summer Training, General Topic: Experiencing, Enjoying, and Manifesting Christ (Part 3), Chapter 10: Shepherding According to God