Why did the publican please God more than the Pharisee?
True spirituality begins with an honest look into one’s own soul — not with the display of external merits. Jesus teaches: be like the publican.
Gospel of the Kingdom
All human effort is in vain unless the heart is rooted in the simple truth of the publican’s prayer: “Lord, have mercy on me.” The fall of humanity is deeper than it appears — hidden sins of pride, envy, and vanity are visible to God even when they are invisible to us.
True healing comes when you stop seeking praise and recognize that all good comes from His grace, not from your own strength. To stand before God without masks, without merits, without comparison — relying solely on His grace — is the state of the publican. In this state, He promises a new heart and a joy that does not depend on worldly success or the opinions of others.