Фарисей и мытарь

All of humanity can be divided into two parts: Pharisees and publicans. The first perish, the second are saved. Take care of this consciousness of your sinfulness. What saved the publican? Of course, this is the consciousness of one’s sinfulness: “God, be merciful to me a sinner” (see Luke 18:10–14). This is the prayer that has been around for almost two millennia. Notice that the publican recognizes himself as a sinner, but at the same time hopes for the mercy of God. Without hope you cannot be saved... The Lord said: “I came not to save the righteous, but sinners” (see Mark 12:17). Who do we mean by the righteous here? People who are not aware of their sinfulness are still sinners. But this is also said about demons. We cannot even imagine the pride in which they stand before God. We cannot understand with what hatred they treat God. God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. You might be interested in: