Will God Accept Me?

                                   
One of the greatest desires of our heart is acceptance! Consider the Parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector in Luke 18:9-14.
A Pharisee in this context is someone who is moral, incredible; Someone who works really hard to obey the God's commands by paying tithe on everything they own, (even their vegetable garden), the kind of person parents will love to marry their daughters.

Then Jesus told this story, the Pharisee posed and prayed like this: ‘Oh, God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, crooks, adulterers, or, heaven forbid, like this tax man. I fast twice a week and tithe on all my income.’ [vs 12 MSG]

However, the Tax collector (best described as a sinner, vile fellow, reprehensible, a betrayer) prays like this – “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” [vs 13 NLT]

What did Jesus say in all these?

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.” [vs 14 NLT]

Conclusion:

Being self-righteous is not enough to save.
Both men were actually in need of God's mercy but only one of them realised the need. We are saved by grace and not by our works [Eph 2:8]. What do we have that He hasn’t given us?
Remember - "Amazing Grace"; a Christian hymn published in 1779, with words written by the English poet and Anglican clergyman John Newton (1725–1807). He was a slave trader who found God.
Just come to God as you are and realise your need of Him. He will accept you no matter what. Believe in His work on the cross. Religion always show the 'Dos’ and ‘Don’ts’ by giving you the criteria to be accepted by God but Christ says – ‘It's Done’, all you need to do is come to Him. He's waiting, come!!