Esotropiart

Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, "This Man receives sinners and eats with them."

Luke 15:1-2 NKJV

If they only knew what they were saying! Praise God that Jesus, the Great Physician, came for the sake of the sick. Those who think they don't need such mercy because they are not so bad are simply walking embodiments of the Pharisees. And let me tell you, unless our righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees, we will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Sound easy? Feel like devoting your life to righteous, devout living? Fine. But even when you have done this, don't think you have earned anything except honor in this world. There is but one way to receive honor in heaven and be accepted as holy. Jesus died in our place, putting our own sins on Him. Our sins are dead and ineffective because of His work on the cross. We simply have to accept His sacrifice for us and live for Him as though dead to this world.

...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness...

Romans 3:23-25 NKJV

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

I John 1:8-10 NKJV

Okay, so that sounds extreme - "we make Him a liar" if we say we haven't sinned. Why is that the case? It is because the Bible says everyone has sinned and stands condemned already. The Bible is God's Word. If we say we have not sinned, we are saying God's Word is not true. It is to say He is a liar.

In the same way, assuming we are good enough to approach God or earn His favor is a deception. The Pharisees and scribes of Jesus' time were very zealous for the law. While some of them were corrupt and lovers of honor and money, there were indeed some who sought to be obedient and faithful. Nevertheless, not even their best efforts can save them on the judgment day. Does that mean we all have to commit our lives to more effort than the Pharisees put out, abandoning everything and pursuing nothing but religious office and servitude? No, for not even that is good enough. Fortunately it is much easier than that, for a righteousness apart from the law has been revealed.

But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.

Romans 3:21-22 NKJV

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

John 3:16-18 NKJV

Oh, and once you have accepted Jesus' sacrifice for you and have entered into the kingdom of heaven... don't think you have nothing else to do. Those of us who are part of Jesus' body must also receive sinners just as He did. Shall we, in our pride, make Jesus someone who He is not? Will we form Him in our own image, making ourselves gods, choosing who will receive mercy and who will not? Will Christ cease to offer mercy? May it never be so! If we fail to forgive those whom He is ready and willing to forgive (or has forgiven), don't think it will bid well for us.

Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?"

Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, 'Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.' Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.

"But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me what you owe!' So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.' And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?' And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.

"So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses."

Matthew 18:21-35 NKJV