Some of us are quick to find fault with our fellow believers. In the name of "encouraging" or "exhorting," we point out the sins and shortcomings of our brothers and sisters in Christ without seeing our own failures or guilt (Lk. 6:37-42).

I was reminded of that when I heard what happened to Denise McKinney. She was driving through the streets of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, late one evening when an oncoming car turned left in front of her. She honked her horn to let the person know he had nearly caused an accident by his carelessness.

When she parked her car a few minutes later, the same car pulled up beside her and the driver got out. "The next time you honk your horn at someone," he said, "maybe you should make sure your headlights are on." Sure enough, in her haste she had forgotten to turn on her lights. She had been so convinced he was in the wrong that she never saw her own error. She was the one who had almost caused an accident.

We often act in a similar way. We're quick to judge the behavior of others and point out their error. Jesus prefers that we examine our own lives and be quick to say, "I was wrong. Please forgive me."  — David C. Egner