Standing Justified Before God

This story is from the Bible. It is a parable about two people who were praying. We know that some people take pride in their own goodness and look down on others. For those people, Jesus told this parable.

Two men went to the temple to pray. One was a religious teacher; the other, a sinner. The religious teacher stood and prayed: ‘O God, I thank you. I’m not like other people. I don’t cheat, steal or commit adultery. I’m not like this sinner. I fast twice a week. I give one-tenth of all I earn.’

But the sinner stood at a distance. He didn’t even want to lift his eyes to heaven. He beat his chest and prayed: ‘My God, have mercy on me. I’m a sinner.’”

[In your opinion, which one went home justified before God?]

Jesus then said, “I tell you the truth. The sinner went home justified, not the religious teacher. Because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled. But he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

That is the parable which Jesus told about people who trust in their own goodness to stand justified before God.