It is easy to see the faults of other people.  We can see when they are not considerate.  We can see when they do not show love and are selfish.  We can see when they are false and not true.  But how often are we guilty of the same things?  Oh, our sins are not exactly like those of the other person, but in the sight of God we are just as guilty.  Sometimes I think it is easier for us to see the faults in others that are similar to our own faults.  When I drive a car, I can be critical of the inconsiderate driving of another person, and later discover that I was inconsiderate in my driving.  Rom 2:1 “Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.”  This is a form of hypocrisy and Jesus was very condemning of the hypocrites of his day.  Matt 7:1-5 “Judge not, that you be not judged.  For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.  And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?  Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye?  Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”  There are times that we must judge – we are even commanded to judge (John 7:24; 1 Cor 5:12; 1 Cor 6:1-5).  But most of the time, we should refrain from judging.  Do you remember the woman that was caught in adultery that was brought to Jesus?  (John 8)  Jesus told them “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”  But those who heard him, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one.  I am not without sin so I should refrain from casting stones. Sometimes we need to be reminded of our sinfulness before God.  Since we want God to be merciful and forgiving of us, how merciful and forgiving should we be of someone else?  Matt 6:14-15 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”  Rom 2:3-4 “And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?” Let us humbly be aware of our own sin and work to remove it from our lives and be thankful to God for his mercy to us.