For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
Romans 12:1-2 combined with verses 3-8 make it clear that we cannot fully “renew our minds” without the active help of other believers.* I cannot understand Scripture, receive prayer, observe others as examples, or live as a disciple of Christ apart from others.* Without others, blind spots will remain in me (or even grow).* Thus, I must be a part of Christian community.
Furthermore, God requires me to engage in community to aid in its growth.* As a believer, I am under obligation to my Lord to use my gifts to serve His people.* Each member of the community has something that the community needs, and so do I.
Paul explains in Romans 12:3 that arrogance is an enemy of community.* Essential to the word community is the word unity.* Though the community of Christ is diverse, it’s connected.* The diversity of the body of Christ is intentional. God intended that I lack some gifts that you have and that you lack some gifts that I have. In this strategy, God creates a community that need each other and Him (as the source of these gifts). The unity of the community comes from these common needs.
This reality leads to Paul’s command not to think of yourself higher than others (the enemy of unity and thus community).* His instructions to be of sober judgement of oneself implies that we should see ourselves as we actually are.
This point is really important: see yourself as you actually are. Many of us see ourselves as greater than we are, looking down at others. While others of us see ourselves as much less than we actually are, looking down on ourselves and belittling our own gifting. Sometimes we drift between the two in different situations or seasons of life.
So how do we view ourselves accurately? Paul explains that the measure we must use for ourselves is the faith that God has assigned to us. Scholars disagree on the actual meaning of this phrase (with good arguments for various views), but several agree that the measurement is the faith common to all.* Meaning, we all have been given the faith and grace of God for our particular gifting. Though the gifts differ (as we will see in verses 4-8), the measure of faith assigned (via grace) is the same.* We must recognize that each gift is special in God’s eyes, and that He is the source of the gift and what we need to exercise the gift.*
Paul’s words suggest that when we rightly value ourselves and others, we will zealously use our gifts in humility.*
C.S. Lewis tells us that humility isn’t going around pretending you are less than you are, but humility is being as excited about the accomplishments and gifts of others as if they were one’s own accomplishments and gifts.
Today, take a step.
Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to get excited about your gifts! Perhaps God wants you to encourage and celebrate the gifts in those around you. Maybe God wants you to repent for a wrong estimation of yourself (too high or low). Perhaps God wants you to repent for a wrong estimation of others (too high or low). Maybe God wants you to use your gift today for the body of Christ.
Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.
Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.
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*Kruse, C. G. (2012). Paul’s Letter to the Romans (D. A. Carson, Ed.; p. 467–469). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Apollos.
Osborne, G. R. (2004). Romans (pp. 322–324). InterVarsity Press.
Morris, L. (1988). The Epistle to the Romans (pp. 437–438). W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press.
Moo, D. J. (2000). Romans (p. 401-403, 407). Zondervan Publishing House.