The Dangerous Lie of Going It Alone in Your Faith (Eph. 2:6)

The Dangerous Lie of Solo Spirituality – In Ephesians 2:6, Paul makes a declaration that God has “raised us up together and made us to sit together in heavenly places in Christ.” One thing we overlook in this passage is the “US” component. Sometimes we just apply these things to ourselves individually and wonder why our lives don’t reflect the promise these verses entail. In this case, Eph. 2:6 is not a “ME” thing, it is an “US” thing, and in order to be the beneficiary of what Paul is talking about, we thence have to find our tribe.

“Me and Jesus Got Our Own Thing Going” is a well-known gospel-country song written by Tom T. Hall and notably recorded by country music legend George Jones. The song’s core message suggests a highly personal and individual relationship with Jesus Christ, implying a direct connection that doesn’t necessarily require external intermediaries or strict adherence to organized religious structures. The often-quoted chorus embodies this sentiment:

“Me and Jesus got our own thing going

Me and Jesus got it all worked out

Me and Jesus got our own thing going

We don’t need anybody to tell us what it’s all about”

The “Go It Alone” Mentality: A Closer Look

While the song is popular for its direct and relatable portrayal of faith, it has also been a subject of discussion within religious circles. Some interpretations see it as a powerful expression of personal salvation and intimacy with God, emphasizing that faith is ultimately a matter between an individual and Jesus. However, this “go it alone” sentiment, while deeply rooted in the American psyche, raises questions about its alignment with the heart of God.

Sadly, a footnote to this anecdote about the song’s writer, Tom T. Hall, adds a somber layer. On August 20, 2021, Hall died by suicide. This tragic end, though a minor fact in the song’s history, highlights a concerning trend. Researchers indicate that the “spiritual but not religious” demographic, known for their individualistic approach to spirituality and reticence toward “organized religion,” demonstrate vulnerabilities in various areas of their lives. They report a significantly higher incidence of anxiety and depression, a higher divorce rate, and tragically, even higher suicide rates than professed agnostics and atheists. Yet, despite these statistics, this “out-of-church” demographic and “spiritual but not religious” mindset thrives and dominates Christian circles, primarily among Evangelicals, Charismatics, and Pentecostals.

The Corporate Truth of Ephesians 2:6

This brings us to Ephesians 2:6, which declares that God “has raised us up together and made us sit together” in heavenly places in Christ. We often read these passages and gloss over important aspects of the text that speak directly to our relationship with God and, in this instance, our relationship with one another. Preachers have rightly declared that we are “seated in heavenly places in Christ,” but we need to pause and notice that this is not a singular truth but a corporate truth. It’s more than just a “you” application; it’s an “us” application. It doesn’t say that God has raised YOU up to make YOU sit in heavenly places in Christ; rather, it reads, God has raised “US” up and made “US” sit in heavenly places in Christ.

The question then is, is your walk with God styled in the manner promoted in Tom T. Hall’s hit song, or are you an “US” believer? Do you recognize that there are blessings, favor, and levels of authority in Christ that only evidence themselves in our lives when we are a part of the body of Christ and integrally connected to other believers, as scripture plainly advocates? He hasn’t just raised you up individually; He has raised us up, and if we are not a part of an “US” demographic, then this truth may not fully manifest in our lives, if at all. God sets the solitary in families. Every believer has their tribe. Jesus didn’t die just to save you, but to raise up His church. The church was so important to Jesus that He gave His all to establish it through the work of the Cross. Yet, how glibly do so many believers today feel utterly at their leisure to pull back and move away from the church because of its perceived shortcomings and drawbacks? In so doing, we exclude ourselves from blessings and place ourselves in danger when we choose to “go it alone” in spiritual matters.

The Unfinished Race: A Call to Connection

Tom T. Hall’s song was popularized and became a part of American culture by George Jones, one of the greatest country-western stars of all time. Jones had a long and storied career, but also a well-documented battle with alcoholism and drug addiction, which greatly impacted his health over the years. Despite these personal struggles, he remained one of country music’s most revered and influential voices until his passing. He had even embarked on a farewell tour in 2012, which was intended to conclude in late 2013, but he was unable to complete it.

I wonder how much this fierce individualism and independent thinking about spiritual things contributed to the struggles Jones faced and ultimately contributed to his inability to finish his race. Jones made the effort for his farewell tour but canceled in failure after a few short months. Don’t let this be your story. God wants you to finish well. He wants you to run the race and finish your race in a glorious manner with your testimony intact. For that to happen, you have to realize that God never meant for you to go it alone in spiritual things. You need others. You need Christian leadership in your life. You need the church and all that it represents. Is the church perfect? No, but neither are you. We are imperfect people utterly dependent on the grace of God to get through our lives, and Ephesians 2:6 makes it plain that there are levels of impartation, glory, power, and authority that independent-minded, “go it alone” believers will never know. Let’s change our thinking. Let’s follow the mandate of scripture so we can appropriate and fully experience all that Jesus died to provide, and that involves connecting with other believers, going back to church, being a part of, and rejoicing in the family of faith that God has made available to us.

Review and Reflection

This exploration of “Me and Jesus Got Our Own Thing Going” in the light of Ephesians 2:6 reveals a tension between individual faith and corporate fellowship. While a personal relationship with God is foundational, the statistics surrounding the “spiritual but not religious” demographic, coupled with scriptural insights from Ephesians, strongly suggest that isolation can lead to vulnerabilities and limit the full experience of God’s blessings. The tragic stories of Tom T. Hall and George Jones, while not directly proving a causal link, serve as poignant reminders of the potential dangers of a “go it alone” approach, even for those with profound talent and influence. The overarching message is clear: God designed us for connection within the body of Christ, and there are spiritual benefits and protections found only in community.

Five-Point Call to Action:

1. Re-evaluate your perspective on church: Challenge any preconceived notions or past hurts that may be keeping you from engaging with a local church community.
2. Seek out Christian fellowship: Actively pursue opportunities to connect with other believers, whether in a formal church setting or through smaller groups.
3. Embrace interdependent faith: Understand that your walk with God is strengthened and enriched through your connections with others in the faith.
4. Prioritize involvement in a local church: Make a conscious effort to regularly attend and participate in a church that aligns with biblical teachings.
5. Submit to spiritual leadership: Recognize the value and necessity of godly leadership and guidance in your spiritual journey.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, we come before You with humble hearts, grateful for the truth revealed in Your Word. We pray for understanding and wisdom to embrace the corporate nature of our faith. Help us to see beyond individualistic notions and recognize the profound blessing of community within the body of Christ.

Lord, we ask for Your grace to heal any past hurts or disappointments that may have kept us from actively engaging with Your church. Open our eyes to the power, protection, and provision found in biblical fellowship. Strengthen us to connect with other believers, to submit to godly leadership, and to fully participate in the family of faith You’ve established.

May our lives be a testament to the unity and love that You desire for Your people. Guide us to finish our race well, not alone, but surrounded by the saints, all for Your glory. In Jesus’ mighty name, we pray. Amen.

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