"I am not a sinner," says one, "for I go to church, and pay my way, and do the best I can. You have no business to call me `unrighteous'; I'm the very opposite of that."
Scripture replies, in the words of the Lord Jesus,"
No Savior then for you!
"I am not so bad as my neighbors," says another. "I am more respectable, I am a teetotaler, and never use bad language as So-and-So does. Yes, thank God, I'm not as other men are!"
Scripture replies, "He spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are! extortionists, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God, be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other." Luke 18:9-149And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. (Luke 18:9‑14).
Yes, righteous, respectable, religious reader, no Justification for you!
"O," says a third, "it's true I am not what I ought to be, but I am going to turn over a new leaf, and serve God better, and keep His commandments. If I do my best, God will doubtless be satisfied."
No Justification then for you!
"Of course I am a sinner," says a fourth, "we are all sinners. But God is merciful, and so I hope all will come right in the end."
Yes, you who are trusting to God's mercy, apart from the atoning blood of Christ, no remission for you!
Says a fifth: "Indeed I am a sinner, and a great one, too. I've tried again and again to mend my ways, but I haven’t succeeded; I have got no strength left. If I got what I deserved I should be in hell this moment."
Ah, what does Scripture reply to such an one? Blessed news!
You are strength-less? "When we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly." Rom. 5:66For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6).
Hell-deserving? God has found a Ransom for all, therefore for such as you.
O, my reader, if you want to be saved, you must abandon your vaunted righteousness and respectability, and take your place among the wretched and hell-deserving ones. In their company the blessed Savior, while on earth, was to be found avoiding the self-righteous and self-satisfied. He rejoiced to be among publicans and sinners, in order to bless them. (Matt. 9:1010And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. (Matthew 9:10); Luke 15:1,21Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. 2And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. (Luke 15:1‑2); Luke 19:77And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. (Luke 19:7)).