Pride is an ugly thing. We share our churches with many people from many different backgrounds, and as did the Pharisee who looked down on the sinful woman, it can be tempting to look down on many of them. But the truth is, those from a more depraved background are often the most faithful Christians you will ever meet.
Translate this concept into the real world. Jesus compared two debts, one of 50 denari, one of 500. The one who was owed forgave both debts, because neither debtor could afford to pay it. Which debtor loves more? The one who was forgiven the greater debt, of course. Or picture your friends. Perhaps a small insult can be forgotten in a day. But what if they do something even worse? What if they physically harm you? This is not so easily forgotten, and so it is more impressive when it is forgotten.
And so it is among the Church. All of us, even those who were raised in the faith, have sinned to some degree. We have lied, we have stolen, we have committed adultery, even pride is a sin, yet who among us can claim to be free of it? Have you not looked at another person and judged them by your standards? But not everyone in the Church was raised in it. We come from all over the globe. Some of us were thieves. Some of us were idolators. Some of us were homosexuals, fornicators, porn addicts, alcoholics, prostitutes, criminals, it is entirely possible that one person reading this will share their congregation with an ex-terrorist. These people do convert.
Will it be uncomfortable to accept them? Probably. I can't say I've ever knowingly met a Christian who has gone so far as to take a life, but let me ask you this: How much of the scriptures were written by such a man? Paul was a violent persecutor of the Church. He was well known for killing Christians, believing that God would not bless Israel unless this religion was wiped out. When Ananias was sent to Paul, he was initially nervous. And yet, in obedience to the Lord, he baptised and healed Paul, and Paul was accepted as an Apostle equal even to Peter, whom Paul actually rebuked for his hypocrisy (Galatians 2:11-14).
Let us not hold each other accountable for our past. Not even Jesus does that. Our debt has been forgiven. Who cares who owed 500 denari and who only owed 50? Will you be the one to demand Christ settle that debt? I wouldn't want to be present to witness that exchange. As Christians, we are a family. That person sitting in the pews whom you think is disgusting, you have no right to make such a judgement. Rejoice, and have fellowship with them, because whatever they have done in the past, it was forgiven the moment they accepted Christ. They are your brother, or your sister, and Christ saw fit to die for them, just as He did for you. If the Apostles could serve Christ willingly with Paul, what excuse have you for any kind of division?