When “Just Me and Jesus” Misses Jesus
Phrases that keep making the rounds…
“My relationship with God is personal; I don’t need a building.”
“I can worship God anywhere.”
“I’m spiritual, not religious.”
“I don’t need organized religion.”
“Church is just a man-made institution.”
“The goal is to get people to Jesus, not the church.” The list goes on.
There’s some truth in almost all of these statements. Your relationship with God really is personal. You can worship anywhere. And it’s true—Jesus didn’t die just so you could attend a service.
But this is where things start to go off track.
These statements usually end up in the same place. It’s not just about loving Jesus, but also about not needing His people. That’s where things start to move away from the truth.
The criticism isn’t just about a system. It’s directed at a community—a family. It’s the very thing Jesus said He would build.
“I will build my church…” — Matthew 16:18
So maybe we should ask a different question:
Is there a better way to say, “I’ve been hurt by someone in the church,” without tearing down the church itself? Honestly, many of these phrases aren’t really about theology. They’re wounds that sound catchy.
I understand. Church hurt is real. People aren’t perfect. Leaders make mistakes. Communities let each other down. But pulling back into a “just me and Jesus” mindset might feel safe, even though it’s not what Jesus intended.
My concern with these statements is that they quietly encourage us to be overly independent. Living a “just Jesus and me” life might sound spiritual, but it doesn’t match what Scripture says.
From the start, faith has always grown within a community.
Here are just a few things the Bible says about this:
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship…” Acts 2:42
“All the believers were together and had everything in common.” Acts 2:44
“Just as a body… has many parts… so it is with Christ.” 1 Corinthians 12:12
“The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you.’” 1 Corinthians 12:21
“Carry each other’s burdens…” Galatians 6:2
“Let us consider how we may spur one another on… not giving up meeting together…” Hebrews 10:24–25
“Encourage one another and build each other up.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11
This isn’t just a casual connection. It’s about depending on each other, sharing our lives, and finding strength together. You can’t get that on your own.
You can follow Jesus anywhere.
But you can’t follow Him alone.
And this is the part we sometimes overlook. The goal is always Jesus. No argument there.
But Jesus consistently expresses His life through His people.
The church isn’t the destination. But it is the environment where His life is lived out, tested, stretched, refined, and multiplied.
So yes… get to Jesus. Just don’t miss the people He’s placed around you.