Luke 18:13: And the publican standing afar off, would not lift up as much as his eyes unto heaven but smote upon his breast, saying God be merciful to me a sinner.
God sees the heart and not the person. Publicans were generally considered as sinners during the time of Jesus because they used to collect more money from the public than what was actually supposed to be collected. This publican when he went to the synagogue to pray, he laid out his heart bare before God crying out to Him that he was a sinner. He was found justified in the presence of God.
God accepts us even if we are unaccepted by the people around us. He loves us even if we are so badly involved in things that are not pleasing before Him. If we are willing to lay open ourselves before God and confess our errors and sins, He would be more than happy to forgive us. It is not by our works that we are justified. We are justified by His righteousness and grace. We may have failed and not met the criteria of becoming a good person in the eyes of the society, but if we come before God with a spirit of humility and wanting to lead a life that is pleasing to Him, we will be justified. God would forgive you of your past without condemning you.
God expects that we don’t be puffed up with pride or self-righteousness or judging or condemning our fellow believers. We don’t have to do a comparative study about the others in front of God. All that He wants is a humble spirit with an attitude of worship. Are we ready for that?
