Search Site
 
   
Finding God
Knowing God
Taking Action
Spiritual Toolbox
Articles
Spotlight Specials
Links
Reviews
Daily Thought
Journal
Prayer Requests
About Us
Contact Us
Sitemap
Search The Bible
Bibleservice.com is a service of the Gospel
Communications Network

(Gospelcom.net)
 
 
Living the Solution Main Page Thousands of Christian books and resources online  

 Printer Friendly page - click here

  Apart From Me
Article by Tom Gilbert — © Living the Solution

When it comes to being around others do you feel a part of or apart from?

A Part of Apart From?

No matter how much we may convince ourselves that we don't need or want fellowship God knows that's not true. We were created for each other, for community. God desires a relationship with us, so much so that He sent Jesus to bring us back to Him and to make it possible for us to have the rich reward of eternal life with God. Part of the beauty of God's fellowship with us is how it is accomplished by our interaction with other people.


In John 15:5 Christ tells us, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing".

This scripture verse is incredibly rich. What does it tell us? For one, Jesus is telling us the secret of unity. When we are united to God in three persons, we are part of the answered prayer to "be one just as you and I are one". Being part of the divine consciousness makes us whole. No longer are we isolated and operating on our own power. We are part of the great stream of living water!

Divine Vine

Another significant revelation of the verse is that God desires to work through us. Again the mysterious power of the Trinity expresses itself. The Holy Spirit comes and dwells in us and empowers us with gifts that bring about good. We are branches connected to the divine vine.

Why be connected? Look to Psalm 16. Verse 2 is "I said to the LORD, 'You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing'." Further on, verses 7-9:

"I will praise the LORD , who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
I have set the LORD always before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken."

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,"

Also, Proverbs 3:5 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight".

Slip Sliding Away

Not only does God desire the most intimate relationship possible with us, He also has the power that enables us to live life to the fullest. As soon as we stray even the tiniest bit from Jesus then we are relying to some extent on our own knowledge, our own power. Compromise is subtle. And deadly.

.The key to living is to stay connected, in good times and bad. No wonder we are instructed to rejoice always, give praise and thanks and to keep our eyes on Jesus.

Don't be a part from. Be apart of.

Return to the Main Articles Page

Tom Gilbert is a writer and spiritual seeker who edits and maintains the Living the Solution web site. You may reprint this article as long as you give credit and a link back to www.livingthesolution.com

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered trademarks of International Bible Society. Use of either trademark for the offering of goods or services requires the prior written consent of International Bible Society.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189, USA. All rights reserved.

 
 
Go shopping
 Shop for thousands of Christian  books, bibles,  music,gifts, video,  software and more!

 
 
PSALM 16:7-9

"I will praise the LORD , who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure."
(NIV)
 
Recommended
Reading

 
 
   
Home | Sitemap | Contact Us | About Us | Finding God | Knowing God | Taking Action
Articles | Links | Journal | Store | Reviews | Privacy
© Copyright 2002-2009. All rights reserved.
Return to Home Page