Qualifying for the Race?

This is in the Bible in Luke 18:9-14

Our true story from the Bible today helped us understand how we qualify for the most important race of our lives. I wonder what you think qualifies you for living with Jesus as King? This true Bible story is from Luke chapter 18.
Jesus knew that many people thought they were really good and they looked down on everybody else. They thought they were good and everyone else was not. So Jesus told this story about 2 men who went to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee. He was very religious. He thought he was so good and that he qualified for God’s race. The other man was a Tax Collector. He was hated because he collected taxes and cheated people out of their money.
In the Temple the Pharisee stood apart by himself and prayed about himself “I thank you God that I am not greedy, I thank you God that I am not dishonest, I thank you God that I am not unfaithful to my wife. I’m not a sinner like everybody else.” He sounds very good doesn’t he? The Pharisee continued “I thank you God that I am not like that Tax Collector over there. I fast two days a week. And I give you a tenth of all my wages.” But the tax collector stood right at the back. He wouldn’t even look up from the floor. He beat his chest in despair and said “God, I have ignored you and done wrong. I am a sinner. I know I deserve to be punished, but please be kind and forgive me.” It’s a great story but which man do you think went home friends with God?
The Pharisee, a very religious man who everybody looked up to. A man who thought he was really good or the Tax Collector, a man who everybody looked down upon. A man who knew he was really bad. This is the surprise. Listen to what Jesus said “I tell you, it was the Tax Collector and not the Pharisee who was in the right with God when he went home.” Jesus says good people do not qualify for the race, only those who know they need God to forgive them for all they have done wrong. Do you think you qualify because you’re good or because you know you need Jesus to forgive you?