The Self-Righteous and Sinner

Most people in America think of themselves as 'good' people. And the vast majority of people believe that one day they will stand before God to give an account and will be able to win the argument of why God should allow them into His heaven. But how good must a person be in order to gain heaven? How righteous must a person be to be acceptable to God? In this familiar story of the Pharisee and the tax collector, Jesus contrasts their two prayers. Most in Jesus' day would expect the Pharisee to have inroads with God. No one would expect God to accept a tax collector. And yet when the verdict is read, it is the tax collector who goes back home 'justified' in God's sight. How is that possible? He prayed the 'sinner's prayer'! God be merciful to me a sinner! God, be propitiated toward me-- God, view me under the blood sacrifice made on my behalf. Only those who view themselves as sinners under the blood sacrifice of Christ was declared to be right with God. Jesus Christ today is our atoning sacrifice. Salvation is only through Him.