Luke 18; v9-14 - Get right with God

The Parable about the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
9Jesus[d] also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves, thinking they were righteous, but who looked down on everyone else: 10“Two men went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector. 11The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘O God, I thank you that I'm not like other people—thieves, dishonest people, adulterers, or even this tax collector. 12I fast twice a week, and I give a tenth of my entire income.’
13“But the tax collector stood at a distance and would not even look up to heaven. Instead, he continued to beat his chest and said, ‘O God, be merciful to me, the sinner that I am!’[e] 14I tell you, this man, rather than the other one, went down to his home justified, because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the person who humbles himself will be exalted.”

These two men both want their consciences cleansed. The first man - the focus was not God, but himself. he exaulted himself; had no humility. False confidence. In his desire to self justify himself he despises others. He reckoned God should accept him on his terms.
Jesus says it's not about that. Christian faith is not about what I must do but what God has done.
Many so called Christians end in this trap. We must not hide from our guilt but must be responsible for what we see in ourselves. Humble ourselves and ask to be put right with God. We need to look at what we are doing about the blood of Jesus Christ. He gave us the wonderful gift of forgiveness - His death for our life. Our attitude ought to be..."Accept me Lord, because you're merciful. We don't deserve it." This is not at the heart of the Christian faith, sadly. (All not my words - listened to a tape from All Souls Langham place, last evening.. in our bible study" May be useful to YOU!