Be Repentant

Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart; I am pure and free from sin”? [Proverbs 20.9]

When I read this today, my thoughts immediately went to Jesus' story below:

Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” [Luke 18.9-14]

One might ask, "Why do I need to repent? I have done nothing wrong!"

I think it is obvious why.

Father, You are only further confirming to my heart the need, not only to repent, but to be repentant.