Myth, 7

~ The “Jesus Is All I Need” Myth ~

Introduction  ~  It is easy to quickly assume that all I need is Jesus Christ.  This concept may sound good and imply that we are only concerned about the essentials.  In reality this is not what the Word of God teaches. 

The Trinity  ~  First, recognize that Jesus Christ is one member of the Triune God.  The Holy Spirit and God the Father are critical aspects of salvation and the Christian life. While John the Baptist and the Holy Spirit point us to Jesus Christ, Jesus points us to our Father in heaven.  For example, “‘In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.’  Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me.  If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.  …  But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do.  Arise, let us go from here’” (John 14:2, 6-7, 31).  “And Jesus said to them, ‘Why did you seek Me?  Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?’” (Luke 2:49). 

The Church  ~  Second, Jesus Christ established His Church for many reasons.  One very important element of the Church is to build up each member in the faith.  Christianity is different from religions in that it is about a relationship with the risen Christ.  It also includes living in community with other believers.  “But now indeed there are many members, yet one body.  …  And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it” (1 Corinthians 12:20, 26).  “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25). 

Creation  ~  Third, creation itself rebukes this concept.  Early in the Bible we see during the creation that God understands that man cannot live effectively isolated from other human contact and that it is good to have relationships.  “And the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.  …  Therefore, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh’” (Genesis 2:18, 24).

Christ’s Teachings  ~  Finally, it is significant that in all the recorded teachings of Jesus Christ He never taught or hinted that He was all we need—rather He repeatedly emphasized the community of believers.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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