Luke 18 contains a startling paradox. The man who admitted he was wrong was declared right, while the one who claimed to be right was condemned as wrong (vv.9-14).

Jesus told this parable of the tax collector and the Pharisee to teach the true way of salvation to those "who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others" (v.9). He wanted them to see that they had a false righteousness like the Pharisee, who thanked God that he was "not like other men" (v.11).

What they needed was the attitude of the tax collector, who saw himself as a sinner. He realized that he had to rely solely on God's mercy and grace. Jesus said of him, "This man went down to his house justified rather than the other" (v.14).

Perhaps you've never considered this seeming paradox--how you as a sinner can be justified through faith. If you are still trying to save yourself, you stand condemned. But as soon as you admit that you are hopelessly lost and you place your trust in Christ, God will forgive you and declare you righteous (Rom. 10:13). It is through faith alone that anyone can be justified in the sight of God (Rom. 3:28; Eph. 2:8-10).

Think about the parable Jesus told. Are you like the Pharisee or the tax collector?  — Richard De Haan