God chooses grace rather than works (Ephesians 2:8). He chooses grace because He knows we are weak. He knows our limitations. He knows our shortcomings. If the Lord had chosen works rather than grace, no one would merit His mercy because our righteousness is like a filthy rag before Him. What we call our good works are like filthy rags before Him (Isaiah 64:6). In other words, man is undeserving of God’s mercy. In Romans 3:10, the Bible says no one is righteous, not even one. If we are to come to His presence, we must acknowledge our position as sinners in need of redemption. In Luke 5:8, Peter, on seeing Jesus, fell on his knees saying, “Depart from me Lord, for I am a sinner.” By this, he acknowledged his position as one undeserving of the Lord’s presence.

To acknowledge our position is to admit our weakness. When we come before Jesus in sincerity and humility of heart, He would receive us with compassion. I mean we would receive His favour. When we come to God in any form – He sees beyond our appearance (John 2:23-24). The Bible says Jesus knows all men – what man is made of, their nature, designs, secret plans, disposition and true character. If man gives out anything, Jesus knows whether the man is truly generous or merely wants to be seen. If man speaks, Jesus knows whether the intent is merely to flatter or whether he speaks what he truly believes in his heart. We know what men do but Jesus knows the designs of their heart. Therefore, let us approach God in sincerity and humility of heart.