Through Jesus Christ

I am able to live and write and think because God gave me a body and a mind. My parents had a lot to do with me being here. It is THROUGH their relationship with each other that I was conceived and born. When I got born AGAIN years later, it was THROUGH all that Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior did for me. Let’s look at what we have THROUGH CHRIST in some of the New Testament uses of this idea.

Prepositions are used in language to show relationships. Those relationships can be in time, place, or purpose. For example, we have a dog and his house. What is his relationship to the house? Prepositions determine that. The dog can go THROUGH his house, NEAR his house, jump OVER his house, crawl UNDER his house, and walk INTO or OUT OF his house. He can also get a bone BEFORE tomorrow or AFTER lunch. Relationships are important, and our relationship to God is available THROUGH Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 8:6:
But to us there is but one God, the Father, of [Greek preposition, ek, meaning out of] whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord JESUS CHRIST, BY WHOM [Greek preposition, dia, meaning by means of] are all things, and we BY HIM.

All good things are OUT OF God, our Father. He is our ONLY God. And all good things are THROUGH Jesus Christ. He is our ONLY Lord. We have direct access to the Father THROUGH the work of His Son. When we confess Jesus as our risen Lord [Romans 10:9], we have the faith of Jesus Christ and eternal life. That gives us boldness and access with confidence to our Father.

Ephesians 3:11,12:
According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD:
IN WHOM WE HAVE boldness and ACCESS with confidence BY [Greek preposition, dia, meaning by means of] the faith of him.

The Greek preposition dia is used more than 600 times in the New Testament. Let’s look at those scriptures that use it in a verse that directly relates to what we have THROUGH Christ. These are not all verses, but those that include Jesus or Christ with the word dia. The English word [by, through, in, with, for…sake] that is translated from dia is CAPITALIZED in the scripture verse.

John 1:17:
For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth [true grace] came BY JESUS CHRIST.

God gave the tablets and commandments to Moses, the meekest man then living on the earth [Numbers 12:3]. These commandments showed God’s grace to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But the truest and most lasting grace came THROUGH Jesus Christ. Jesus fulfilled the law [Matthew 5:17] and brought eternal life [John 3:15,16]. He was the meekest man who EVER lived on earth [Matthew 11:29; 2 Corinthians 2:1]. We are saved by faith in Christ, and it is God’s gift to us through His Son [Ephesians 2:8].

The Book of Acts

Acts 2:22:
Ye men of Israel, hear these words; JESUS of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did BY HIM in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know.

Peter and the other eleven apostles got born again on Pentecost and began to speak in tongues. They also stood together as Peter preached about salvation through Jesus Christ. Here, Peter is reminding them that Jesus, even though he was from Galilee in the north, was approved of God as he showed forth the Father’s power. Matthew 9:8 says: “But when the multitudes saw it [Jesus healing a man sick of the palsy], they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.” Jesus proved that God’s power worked in him by miraculous healings. God did these miracles THROUGH Jesus Christ.

Acts 4:30:
By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done BY the name of thy holy child JESUS.

Peter and John were imprisoned by the Jewish elders for healing a man and teaching about Jesus. When they were let go, they prayed with the disciples, asking God to stretch forth His hand. They wanted to see signs and wonders. How could they do such things? With the authority they had in the name of Jesus. Before his death, the master had taught them to ask the Father for things in his own name [John 14:13,14; 15:16; 16:23,24,26]. In his resurrected body, Jesus said they would cast out devils, speak in tongues, be healed from physical attacks, and lay hands on the sick to heal them [Luke 16:17,18]. All this is done in HIS NAME!

Acts 10:36:
The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace BY JESUS CHRIST: (he is Lord of all).

God sent Jesus to preach peace to the children of Israel. How did Jesus do this? Verse 38 says that “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power [holy spirit power]: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” Jesus brought peace by destroying the works of the devil, the author of lies and confusion. God was with His Son, and peace was preached THROUGH Jesus Christ. Now Jews and Gentiles have peace with each other in Christ [Ephesians 2:14]. Jesus preached peace to both Jew and Gentile. We all now have peace with God [Romans 5:1] through His Son.

Acts 15:11:
But we believe that THROUGH the grace of the LORD JESUS CHRIST we shall be saved, even as they.

Peter was speaking in Jerusalem to a gathering of church leaders. He reminded them that people were saved, born again, not by works but by faith in Christ. It is God’s grace to us in Christ that brings eternal life. We are saved THROUGH the grace that comes from our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul’s Epistle to the Romans

Romans 1:8:
First, I thank my God THROUGH JESUS CHRIST for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

Paul wrote to the Roman church and thanked God for their faith that was known around the world. Paul was able to give thanks THROUGH Jesus Christ. How did he pray in that way? Paul had the spirit of Christ inside and could pray in the spirit and with his understanding [1 Corinthians 14:15]. He spoke in tongues more that the entire Corinthian church [1 Corinthians 14:18]. He prayed constantly for the believers and had the care of all the churches in his heart [Philippians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 11:28]. He gave thanks in prayer THROUGH Jesus Christ.

Romans 2:16:
In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men BY JESUS CHRIST according to my gospel.

Here Paul explains about Gentile nations being a “law unto themselves” [verse 14]. God will judge the secret things of men’s hearts in the future. Jesus Christ is Lord of all and will judge both the living and dead [Acts 10:42; 2 Timothy 4:1; 1 Peter 4:5]. As God’s Son, Jesus gives eternal life; as the son of Adam, Jesus can judge all men [John 5:25-27]. God will judge all people THROUGH Jesus Christ.

Romans 3:22:
Even the righteousness of God which is BY faith of JESUS CHRIST unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference.

Romans 10:9 and 10 says: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto RIGHTEOUSNESS; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” When we believe on Jesus as Lord, we get the faith of Jesus Christ [verse17]. Then Christ is MADE RIGHTEOUSNESS to us [1 Corinthians 1:30]. God’s righteousness is THROUGH the faith of Jesus Christ.

Romans 3:24:
Being justified freely BY his grace through the redemption that is IN CHRIST JESUS.

Jesus justified us and redeemed us through God’s grace that we have in him [1 Corinthians 1:30]. We are set on right legal standing, and we have been bought back from the adversary. And it is all THROUGH the grace we have in Christ Jesus.

Romans 5:1:
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

Now that we are made just and right legally in Christ, we have true peace with God. We are no longer at enmity with our Creator. God is now our loving heavenly Father. We cry “Daddy” to him [Romans 8:14; Galatians 4:6]. And it is all THROUGH our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:11:
And not only so, but we also joy in God THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, by whom we have now received the atonement.

We are reconciled to God and saved through the work of Christ. Since we have received atonement [this Greek word is elsewhere translated “reconciliation”] in him, we have great joy toward God for what He did for us in His Son. Our joy in God is THROUGH our Lord Jesus Christ!

Romans 5:17:
For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life BY ONE, JESUS CHRIST.

What was the consequence of one man, Adam, sinning? Death reigned over all people. What is the benefit of one man, Jesus, paying the price for our sins? We are righteous and living in God’s grace. That allows us to reign in this life THROUGH Jesus Christ, and him alone!

Romans 5:21:
That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life BY JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD.

It is true that sin formerly ruled over our lives before we were saved in Christ. But now with the Father’s grace, we are made righteous and have eternal life. And it is all THROUGH Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Romans 7:25:
I thank God THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Paul thanks God that he can renew his mind to serve Him [Romans 12:1,2]. He does not go by his fleshly impulses to serve sin [the Greek word translated “sin” means to “miss the mark”]. As in the opening of this epistle [1:8], Paul thanks God THROUGH Jesus Christ.

Romans 15:30:
Now I beseech you, brethren, FOR THE LORD JESUS CHRIST’S SAKE, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me.

Paul greatly desired to visit the believers in Rome. Here, he asks them to join him in prayer so he could come to them. What was the motivation for them “striving together” in prayer. It was the spiritual love that they had because they were born again and filled with the “spirit of Christ.” It was THROUGH what the Lord Jesus accomplished that they had such love.

Romans 16:27:
To God only wise, be glory THROUGH JESUS CHRIST for ever. Amen.

This is how Paul closed he letter to the Romans. Verses 25 to 27 talk about the “mystery “of the one body of Christ that Paul was given by revelation [Ephesians 3:2-4]. Only God receives glory, now and forever. And we are able to glorify our Father THROUGH Jesus Christ, our brother and Lord.

Paul’s Epistles to the Corinthians

1 Corinthians 1:10:
Now I beseech you, brethren, BY the name of OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Paul had heard that the believers in Corinth were divided into different factions. This was not God’s will. They were to have the same mind and judgment based on true spiritual understanding. This would allow them to be perfectly joined together, not having any divisions among themselves. What was the only way Paul could appeal to them? THROUGH the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. That is the authority we have to overcome the evil and strife in this world, even when it plagues the church!

1 Corinthians 4:10:
We are fools FOR CHRIST’S SAKE, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.

Paul had natural intelligence, physical strength, and worldly honor in the tribe of Benjamin. But that is not what he lived for. He counted all of his “finer points” as dung compared to what he had as a minister of Christ [Philippians 3:7,8]. It was THROUGH Christ that Paul seemed foolish, weak, and despised. Compared to the riches of God’s grace in Christ, worldly acclaim means nothing!

This is one of the greatest truths in the Bible. God used two words to describe Himself to Abraham and his descendants. As Elohim, God is the Creator Who is all powerful. As Jehovah, He is a loving Lord to His people. But Jesus came and changed everything! He said that the Creator was not our “Lord” but our Father! That is our relationship with God today. And He is our ONLY God. God raised Jesus from the dead and set him at His own right hand. Now Jesus is LORD OF ALL [Philippians 2:9-11]. All good things are FROM GOD OUR FATHER. All good things are THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD.

1 Corinthians 15:57:
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

What “victory” do we have? Verses 50 to 58 talk about the return of Christ to gather his church. The dead in Christ will rise with bodies that cannot corrupt. Those alive will be changed with bodies that will never die! Death was destroyed when God raised Jesus from the grave. The devil has the power of death, and Jesus destroyed him [Hebrews 2:14]. Death will be the last enemy destroyed [1 Corinthians 15:26]. Our total victory over death is THROUGH our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 1:5:
For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth BY CHRIST.

Paul and his companions endured many hardships in preaching the gospel [2 Corinthians 11:23-28; Acts 16:22-24; Acts 27:1-44]. Yet, they were comforted with the abundant grace they found THROUGH Christ. Even under persecution, they had JOY in the holy spirit [Acts 13:50-52; 1 Thessalonians 1:6].

2 Corinthians 3:4:
And such trust have we THROUGH CHRIST to God-ward.

Paul and Timothy wrote this letter to the believers in Corinth. They were “able ministers” [verse 6]. They did not trust in themselves, but in God’s sufficiency [verse 5]. And God’s riches were all THROUGH Christ. That’s why they had confidence and trust toward God. They were ministers with the spirit of Christ in the. Their ministration and service was “of the spirit” [verse 8].

2 Corinthians 4:5:
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants FOR JESUS’ SAKE.

WHO do we preach? Christ Jesus our Lord. HOW do we preach him? THROUGH what Jesus has done for us! Acts 8:5 says: “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and PREACHED CHRIST unto them.” What is the result? Spirits were cast out and people were healed. They had GREAT JOY [verses 6,7]. We don’t tell people about ourselves. We tell them about Christ. THEN we offer ourselves as servants THROUGH Jesus. We are in his stead on this earth to minister with God’s power within us.

2 Corinthians 4:14:
Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also BY JESUS, and shall present us with you.

We are convinced that God raised Jesus from the dead. Now Jesus is our Lord. And we are also convinced that Jesus will come back for those of us who are born again. God will raise the dead in Christ and change those who are alive THROUGH Jesus. Our Lord Jesus will “present” us to the Father in our new spiritual bodies. What a day that will be!

2 Corinthians 5:18:
And all things are of [Greek ek, out from] God, who hath reconciled us to himself BY JESUS CHRIST, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.

We are new creations in Christ [verse 17]. This verse agrees with 1 Corinthians 8:6. All the new spiritual blessings we have are FROM God our Father. And They are all THROUGH Jesus Christ. That is how the Father reconciled us to Himself—through all His Son has done for us!

2 Corinthians 10:1:
Now I Paul myself beseech you BY the meekness and gentleness of CHRIST, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you.

Paul encouraged these believers to walk by the spirit and cast down earthly ideas and imaginations [verses 2-5]. Paul wasn’t being mean, petty, or overly critical of them. He was meek and gentle toward them, as Christ was meek and gentle. Paul had the “spirit of Christ” within him and loved these believers THROUGH what he had in Christ. We can do the same.

Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians

Galatians 1:1:
Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but BY JESUS CHRIST, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead).

No person called Paul to be an apostle. It was a vision of Jesus Christ himself that turned Paul from hating and persecuting the church to caring so deeply for it. The same is true for ministers today. We don’t get a “certificate” from some organization. We are called of God and made ministers THROUGH Jesus Christ. He is our head and we follow his lead when we serve in love.

Galatians 1:12:
For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but BY the revelation of JESUS Christ.

Paul didn’t get the good news of the gospel from some other person. He did know Peter and the other apostles and learned much from them. But the letters he wrote were revelation from God THROUGH Jesus Christ. Paul had “Christ in” him and that allowed the Father to tell him what to write. Peter says that Paul’s writings are “scripture” just as much as any Old Testament prophet [2 Peter 3:15,16]. Just as holy men received revelation by the holy spirit and wrote the Bible scriptures [2 Peter 1:20,21], so did Paul in writing his epistles.

Galatians 2:16:
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but BY the faith of JESUS CHRIST, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified BY the faith of CHRIST, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

The letter to the Romans is an amazing doctrinal foundation of what we are in Christ. We are justified in God’s sight, not by our works, but THROUGH the faith we have in Jesus Christ. This truth is repeated here in Galatians to correct those who forget the foundation of their salvation.

Galatians 3:14:
That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles THROUGH JESUS CHRIST; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

God told Abraham that all nations would be blessed in his descendant, Jesus Christ [verse 8]. That blessing came upon all the Gentile nations THROUGH Jesus the Messiah. That blessing includes our receiving God’s promise of the holy spirit. Now our Father dwells IN US by His spirit.

Galatians 3:26:
For ye are all the children of God BY faith in Christ Jesus.

We are the children of God THROUGH faith in Christ Jesus. 1 Peter 1:23 says: “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” We are born again and made God’s children with God’s incorruptible seed in us. We are saved by God’s Word in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Galatians 6:14:
But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, BY WHOM the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

Paul did not boast in his intellect, strength, or social standing. He ONLY gloried in the cross of Christ and all that it brings to us. It is THROUGH what our Lord Jesus Christ did for us on the cross we are “crucified” to the world. We live in this world, but we are not part of it. Our citizenship is in heaven [Philippians 3:20].

Paul’s Prison Epistles [Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians]

Ephesians 1:5:
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children BY JESUS CHRIST to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.

God has foreknowledge. He knew from before time that we would believe on Jesus as our Lord. Now we are God’s children. The English phrase “adoption of children” comes from one Greek word that means “sonship.” It is the Father’s “good pleasure” to have us as His children. And God did it all for us THROUGH Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 3:9:
And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things BY JESUS CHRIST.

The phrase “who created all things by Jesus Christ” IS NOT IN THE GREEK TEXTS. It is a forgery that was added later.

Philippians 1:11:
Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are BY JESUS CHRIST, unto the glory and praise of God.

What are the fruits of our just living? Galatians 5:22 and 23 says that as we walk by the spirit, we have the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance [self-control]. We can live this way because we have the spirit of Christ in us and the scriptures that make known Jesus to guide us. We glorify and praise God in this way THROUGH what we have in Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:19:
For I know that this shall turn to my salvation THROUGH your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of JESUS CHRIST.

Paul was imprisoned and hoped to be released and be with believers. He knew that their prayers and the “supply” he had THROUGH Jesus Christ would meet his need. The Greek word for “supply” is epichorēgia, and means to bring all that is necessary for the chorus. Jesus Christ allows God to supply all our needs [Philippians 4:19].

Philippians 2:30:
BECAUSE for the work OF CHRIST he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.

Epaphroditus was a minister who became very sick when supporting Paul. This man did not even regard his own life in order to carry out his service THROUGH the work of Christ. But God had mercy on Epaphroditus and he was healed. We can walk in wisdom in our Christian service and allow the Father to keep us healthy and fit as we serve Him.

Philippians 3:7:
But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss FOR CHRIST.

All of Paul’s earthly credentials meant nothing to him compared to what he gained in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. THROUGH Christ, Paul had a true perspective on his life and calling.

Philippians 3:8:
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of CHRIST JESUS MY LORD: FOR WHOM I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.

Paul had “excellency of the knowledge” THROUGH what Christ Jesus his Lord had supplied by revelation. That understanding was so magnificent that he overcame the “thorns in the flesh” that he faced [2 Corinthians 12:1-10].

Philippians 3:9:
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is THROUGH the faith of CHRIST, the righteousness which is of God by faith.

This repeats the foundational truth of salvation. We are not righteous through our own works, but ONLY THROUGH the faith we have in Christ. God makes us righteous through His Son.

Colossians 3:17:
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of THE LORD JESUS, giving thanks to God and the Father BY HIM.

We thank God THROUGH all that our Lord Jesus has done for us. That is why WHATEVER we do or say—we use the authority we have in Christ’s name!

Paul’s Epistles to the Thessalonians

1 Thessalonians 4:2:
For ye know what commandments we gave you BY THE LORD JESUS.

The believers in Thessalonica were wonderfully meek and obedient to Paul’s gospel. They understood that Paul received these commandments THROUGH the spirit of Christ working in Paul. They wanted to walk and please God [verse 1].

1 Thessalonians 4:14:
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep IN JESUS will God bring with him.

Those born-again believers who have died are only “asleep” THROUGH Jesus. They will “wake up” someday when Christ returns to gather the church. God will bring us with Jesus to live throughout eternity!

1 Thessalonians 5:9:
For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation BY OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

What a great comfort this truth is to us! We are not destined to future wrath. We have salvation THROUGH our making Jesus Christ the Lord of our lives. Amen! What joy unspeakable.

2 Thessalonians 3:12:
Now them that are such we command and exhort BY OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

Paul needed to confront and reprove some of the believers in Thessalonica who were “busybodies” and did not take up their personal responsibilities. He wanted them to know that his reproof was not his own personal opinion but was THROUGH what the Lord Jesus Christ had shown him.

Paul’s Pastoral Epistles to Timothy and Titus

2 Timothy 1:10:
But is now made manifest by the appearing of OUR SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light THROUGH the gospel.

Jesus is our Savior who abolished death. The “good news” we believe [Romans 10:9,10] bring us life and immortality when we believe. It is all THROUGH the good news of our Savior Jesus Christ!

2 Timothy 3:15:
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation THROUGH faith which is in CHRIST JESUS.

Timothy learned the scriptures from his mother and grandmother. The Word makes us wise about how to be saved, for faith comes by hearing the Word of God [Romans 10:17; 1 Peter 1:23]. We are saved THROUGH the faith we have in Christ Jesus.

Titus 3:5,6:
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit;
Which he shed on us abundantly THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR.

We are saved [Romans 10:9,10] and washed into regeneration. The Greek word for “regeneration” is paliggenesiam, and literally means to be “born again.” God shed forth His spirit THROUGH Jesus Christ our Savior.

Paul’s Epistle to the Hebrew Believers

Hebrews 10:10:
By the which will we are sanctified THROUGH the offering of the body of JESUS CHRIST once for all.

We aren’t made holy by animal sacrifices or religious rituals. We are set apart THROUGH Jesus Christ sacrificing himself for us, once and for all time!

Hebrews 13:12:
Wherefore JESUS also, that he might sanctify the people WITH his own blood, suffered without the gate.

It was THROUGH the shed blood of Christ that God was able to sanctify us. Jesus was crucified outside the gates of Jerusalem, just as the high priest would burn animal sacrifices outside the camp [verse 11].

Hebrews 13:21:
Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, THROUGH JESUS CHRIST; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

The God of peace [verse 20] will make us perfect [complete spiritually in every way] in our daily service and works. We can only be “wellpleasing” in God’s sight, because we walk by the spirit THROUGH Jesus Christ.

Peter’s Epistle

1 Peter 1:3:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope BY the resurrection of JESUS CHRIST from the dead.

We have a “living hope” because God raised Jesus from the dead and set His Son at His own right hand! Jesus, our hope, is alive in a new spiritual body. And we will have a new body “fashioned like unto his glorious body” when he returns for us [Philippians 3:21]. Our hope is THROUGH the resurrection of JESUS CHRIST from the dead.

1 Peter 2:5:
Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God BY JESUS CHRIST.

Today, we are a spiritual house where God dwells [Ephesians 2:21,22]. And we are a “holy priesthood” because we offer true, spiritual sacrifices to the Father. We worship God in spirit and in truth [John 4:24]. Our lives are a “living sacrifice, holy acceptable unto God” offered to Him in love [Romans 12:1]. Our lives are acceptable to the Father THROUGH Jesus Christ in us.

1 Peter 3:21:
The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) BY the resurrection of JESUS CHRIST.

We are saved by “baptism” into Christ’s death [Romans 6:3,4]. That is not the outward washing with water, but the “answer” of Romans 10:9 and 10: “That if thou shalt CONFESS with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” We are saved, not by water, but THROUGH the resurrection of our Lord Jesus when we make him our Lord.

1 Peter 4:11:
If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified THROUGH JESUS CHRIST, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

What a tremendous scripture to close on. We can speak for God and minister with the Father’s ability within us. Then we will glorify Him THROUGH what Jesus Christ makes us to be. Praise and dominion are to our Lord Jesus Christ forever and ever. AMEN!