[363 words]
Christianity is all about our relationship with Jesus. He died for us and we are to live for Him. Upon obeying the gospel, we gain a lot of “prepositional aspects” having to do with ourselves and Jesus: we are in Him, with Him, and for Him. But there is another preposition that describes one more important aspect of our relationship with Jesus Christ – it is the word “through.” Take a look at these passages and see the powerful relationship we are to have “through Him”:
• Our salvation is made available “through Him” (John 3:17).
• True faith comes “through Him” (Acts 3:16, also 1 Pet. 1:21).
• We receive God’s grace “through Him” (Rom. 1:5).
• We are saved from God’s wrath “through Him” (Rom. 5:9).
• Our righteousness reigns “through Jesus” (Rom. 5:21).
• We are more than conquerors over sin and death “through Him” (Rom. 8:37).
• We give God glory “through Jesus” (Rom. 16:27, also 1 Pet. 4:11).
• True consolation only comes about “through Christ” (2 Cor. 1:5).
• We are reconciled to God only “through Jesus” (2 Cor. 5:18).
• We have access to God the Father “through Him” (Eph. 2:18).
• Our courage, strength, and ability to do anything comes “through Christ” (Phil. 4:13).
• We give thanks to and properly praise the Father “through Him” (Col. 3:17).
• Our reception of God’s mercy and the renewal of the Holy Spirit is “through Jesus” (Titus 3:4-6).
• Our lives and works are made complete “through Jesus” (Heb. 13:21).
• Our spiritual sacrifices are accepted by God only “through Jesus” (1 Pet. 2:5).
• True life only comes about “through Him” (1 John 4:9).
Clearly we can see that it is not enough simply to have been to Jesus, we must make sure that our lives go through Him. We must make sure that every aspect of our lives is centered around Him and that we are continually living in, with, for, and through Jesus!
“Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” (Heb. 7:25)
Edd Sterchi
Broadway church of Christ
Campbellsville, KY