May 3, 2026

“And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14

It is possible that what you consider your greatest righteousness is actually your greatest sin.

In the parable, the Pharisee is pleased with how he compares to others. He views his religious acts as righteous and sees himself as morally superior—especially to the tax collector. Yet he is not righteous before God, nor is he justified.

The tax collector, who despairs over his sin, goes home justified in the eyes of God—as declared by Christ.

What is the difference? The Pharisee believes he can fulfill the righteousness God requires by keeping the law. The Apostle Paul repeatedly says otherwise:

“Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, ‘The righteous man shall live by faith’” (Galatians 3:11).

No sinner can fulfill God’s law. To think we can is pride, which adds sin to sin and makes us doubly guilty.

The tax collector, despairing of his own sin, humbles himself and asks for mercy. Christ declares him justified because he trusts not in himself but in God, who promises to save sinners. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

The tax collector is a perfect example of what the Apostle Paul writes in Romans 4:5:

“But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness…”.

When we reach the end of our own ability to earn grace and instead trust in Him—who delights in saving sinners and lavishes His transforming grace on those who look to Him alone—we receive everything necessary for eternal life in Christ Jesus.

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us (Ephesians 1:7).