"What do you think? A man had two sons; and he went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.' And he answered, 'I will not'; but afterward he repented and went. And he went to the second and said the same; and he answered, 'I go, sir,' but did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the harlots believed him; and even when you saw it, you did not afterward repent and believe him. Matthew 21:28–32 (RSV)
I prefer an honest sinner to a pious pew sitter who can only see someone else's sin. The honest sinner has no illusions about themselves. They have sinned and deserve God's judgment and wrath. They have been told all their lives that they are not the sort of person God wants.
The pious pew sitter may be conscientious in their daily life. They will concentrate on doing holy things. They will disdain the sinful, giving God thanks that they are not such wretched people. They measure God's mercy by how much better they are than other sinners.
Tax collectors and harlots respond to John the Baptist first, then to Jesus, for they are hearing that the penitent can come before God and find forgiveness. The pious pew sitter won't stoop so low as to be on the same level as a tax collector or harlot. They will keep themselves separate and pure. They will also find themselves cut off from God, for they have trusted only in their righteousness.
Luther was correct when he wrote as the first of his 95 Theses that the Christian life is to be one of repentance. Our Lord Jesus has come to save and redeem sinners. Those who confess the truth and repent of their sin find the mercy and grace the Father gives through His Son.