Two men went to the temple to pray.
One a Pharisee. The other a tax collector.
The religious man stood tall and exclaimed.
Holy God, I stand before you unashamed.
For I fast twice a week and give my tithe.
I am not a robber, adulterer, or evildoer.
I am not like that tax collector over there.
The tax collector beat his chest in the air.
He would not even look up to heaven.
The commoner confessed his many sins.
He then concluded: God, have mercy on me.
For I am a sinner. Please Lord—set me free.
Who do you think was justified that day?
Not the religious man. But the commoner.
For the humble and meek will be pardoned.
But the heart of the proud will be hardened.
Poem by Chad A. Damitz (M.Div)
Conform to Jesus 
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