Sometimes the most revealing spiritual insights come from the most forgettable moments. I don’t remember the conversation or even the context—but I do remember the phrase. Someone jokingly described a way of living as “God adjacent,” and everyone immediately knew what they meant. Not anti-God. Not rejecting faith. Just close enough to feel familiar without actually being changed. Like standing next to a campfire and wondering why you’re still cold.

Living a God-adjacent life often looks spiritual on the surface. We attend church, know the language, recognize the rhythms, and feel comfortable around the things of God. But Scripture warns us that familiarity is not the same as faith. James writes, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (James 1:22). The danger isn’t ignorance—it’s exposure without obedience. Knowing the truth without responding to it can quietly shape us into people who feel close to God while remaining unchanged by Him.

The Bible is filled with examples of this kind of proximity. The Pharisees knew Scripture but resisted surrender. The rich young ruler respected Jesus but walked away when obedience cost him something. Even the crowds who followed Jesus drifted away when discipleship became uncomfortable. These stories aren’t warnings for outsiders; they’re cautionary tales for those of us who live inside the orbit of faith. Being near Jesus is not the same as following Him.

Modern God adjacency often hides behind comfort. We enjoy sermons that encourage us but struggle with those that examine us. We talk about grace but avoid repentance. We like Jesus close enough to comfort us, but not close enough to confront us. Over time, activity replaces intimacy, and routine replaces transformation. Paul described this as having “a form of godliness but denying its power” (2 Timothy 3:5). It looks right, sounds right, and feels right—but it doesn’t actually change us.

Jesus offers something better than adjacency. He invites us to abide. In John 15, He says, “Remain in me… apart from me you can do nothing.” Abiding isn’t about doing more religious things; it’s about surrendering more of ourselves. If you find yourself living near God rather than with Him, that’s not failure—it’s an invitation. Because close enough isn’t the goal. Transformation is. And the call to follow Jesus is always open.