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Luke 18:9-14 – Going to Church Is Dangerous
“Going to church” is dangerous, but the alternative is worse. I have had various back issues since I was two years old. I have been hospitalized three times, recently for surgery, and at age 4 when I awoke and could not walk. Due to the recent situation I have needed to take pain medicine. What my medicine does is mask the pain without curing it. But when it works I begin to think I am fully recovered (or before that I didn’t need surgery). When I think I am fully recovered I stop taking the medicine. Then I regret my decision; really regret. “Going to church”, even being Christian doesn’t mean I no longer have a sin problem on a daily basis. Temptation is still real. But just like the Pharisee who recounted to God all his good deeds; Christians can start to think they have it all figured out and look down on those struggling – again like that Pharisee (Luke 18:9-14). Being chosen can make one arrogant, apparently. The alternative I mentioned at the beginning is totally forsaking God. That choice masks the pain of being a sinner without hope of ever being healed. For us believers, “going to church” isn’t done because we are healed of sin’s temptations. “Going to church” is done because we know, although we have been healed of sin’s punishment; spiritually we are still sick and need help.
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