What Do You Think?
Scripture Reading: Romans 12:3
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.
I heard someone say once that humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less. I think there is truth in that, but I also think it is unreasonable to expect people to live absent any self-reflection or judgement. Paul doesn’t tell us not to think about ourselves at all here. He tells us to not think about ourselves more highly than we should.
This is said in the context of spiritual gifts in the church. So, the main point is to take seriously your role within the body of Christ. Don’t get all puffed up about it. Do what God has called and gifted you to do, but stay in your lane.
Your character is a better way to judge how well you are functioning as a Christian than your job title. If we live out verses 9-13, which exhort us to love, service, joy and prayer, where we fit in verses 7 and 8, which describes various giftings, won’t matter much.
A church full of less gifted members who genuinely love is much better off than a church full of gifted teachers who are full of themselves and not the Spirit.
