CONVICTED but Growing in GRACE

"Like a pebble tossed into a pool of water, awareness of our sinfulness generates a marvelous ripple effect... Here's how it works: The more we understand the sin in our hearts, the more we appreciate the patience and mercy of God; and this, in turn, produces an attitude of humility and mercy toward others!
...Charles Spurgeon once said:

'He who grows in grace remembers that he is but dust, and
he therefore does not expect his fellow Christians to be anything more.
He overlooks ten thousand of their faults, because
he knows his God overlooks twenty thousand in his own case.
He does not expect perfection in the creature, and therefore,
he is not disappointed when he does not find it.'

When we see others as sinners like ourselves - sinners in need of God's grace and mercy - it strips away any intolerant, critical, or demanding attitude we may be tempted to have. Everyone has areas where he needs to change and grow, but so do we!"
-from Feminine Appeal by Carolyn Mahaney