The parable of a pharisee and a tax collector praying in the temple is short but it cuts deep into our self-righteousness and spiritual arrogance. When we worship our holy God, like looking into a mirror, we notice our imperfections and shortcomings. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin. We cringe in our hearts realizing that we hurt Someone deeply interested in our eternal wellbeing. That is genuine repentance, as experienced by the tax collector. And the tax collector went home counted as righteous, considered righteous in the eyes of God.
