Self-Righteousness vs. God’s Righteousness

Jesus tells the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous. The Pharisee thanks God that he is not like other men and lists his fasting and tithing. The tax collector stands far off, beats his breast, and prays, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner." Jesus says the tax collector went home justified rather than the other. Justification is God's legal declaration that a sinner is righteous, received by faith in Christ, not earned by works. God humbles everyone who exalts himself and exalts the one who humbles himself.