Luke 18:13. In the parable of the Pharisee and the publican, the publican cried out to God saying, “have mercy on me a sinner” (Luke 18:13). The publican had true knowledge of God. He knew that he had fallen short of God's glory and that he was a sinner (this is the same situation for all of mankind – none of us are perfect by ourselves). The publican also knew that the only way he could get right with God was for God to have mercy on him. Thus because of the publican's confession, he was justified before God (Luke 18:13-14, “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: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted”).

The Pharisee on the other hand came to confess, but it was not to ask God to have mercy on him as a sinner. In fact the Pharisee did not really come to pray to God, but he came to boast and “prayed thus with himself”. He confessed (boasted) about all of his good works, but never acknowledged God, confessed his sins, nor asked for mercy. He was quite content with himself. Unknown to the Pharisee, he was not justified before God due to his boasting that had no room for God ( Luke 18:11-12, “The 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. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess”).

LUKE 18 BIBLE SCRIPTURE Luke 18:13, “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”.

Joshua 7:19. God is Truth; He is Righteous; He is the only one that is perfect. When we ask God to have mercy on us a sinner (confessing our sins, our disobedient, our shortfalls), we give God glory that all Truth and all Righteousness flow from Him. We worship Him by acknowledging His perfection and by us admitting our imperfection (sin nature).

There can only be one right and truth. Both God and mankind cannot have their own version of truth and what is right. Mankind, when acting out of relationship with God will always sin. Mankind’s sinful disobedience started with Adam and continues to this day.

If we do not acknowledge to God that we are a sinner and ask for His mercy, we give God no glory. We disrespect Him by not acknowledging His perfection. Whether we state it or not, we have decided that our actions are righteousness because we see no need to confess our sins to God. Acknowledging to God that we are a sinner is a prerequisite to establishing a relationship with God. God loves us all, and He created us to glorify His righteousness (Joshua 7:19, “And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me”).

JOSHUA 7 BIBLE SCRIPTURE Joshua 7:19, "And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me."