“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.” (Romans 12:3 NIV)
How we think is an extremely important aspect of our outlook toward life. Consider that statement carefully in light of your life and ministry. As per Paul’s example, is it from grace that you think and speak? Do you have a lofty opinion of yourself? How much faith has God measured to you?
Before we can submit to Paul’s exhortation, we must consider the implications inherent in his words. As human beings, we have a tendency to “think” more of ourselves than is either accurate or justified. Yes, we all do it, whether we readily admit it or not. That seems to be the exact basis of Paul’s preface: “by the grace given to me.” He recognizes the human tendency and knows he isn’t free from it’s trap either. So, he wants his readers to know that he isn’t exhorting from his own self-importance but from the grace God has given to him as the apostle to the gentiles.
Paul’s context continues from chapter 11:32, God has bound us all in disobedience so that his mercy may be received by us all. While we may not understand his action, we may be certain that his ways are right (vss. 33-36). So, Christians should offer themselves as living sacrifices who are holy and obedient to God’s will (12:1). And not conforming to the world’s standard, we should be transformed by renewed thinking (12:2).
Now, to reiterate: How we think is extremely important to our lives. How we think about God. How we think about ourselves. How we think about others. How we think about our personal ministry in the body of Christ. How we think affects how we respond in all aspects of our lives.
And Paul gives us a simple formula for transformed thinking. First, exercise self-control as you think about yourself. Use a moderate consideration of yourself. Limit your enthusiasm. Second, your thinking should agree with “the measure of faith God has given you.” If you can’t believe for it, you can’t achieve it. Paul’s simple formula flies in the face of most of the current self-help philosophy plaguing Christianity today.
Yet, Paul’s higher meaning is easier to comprehend when we study the remainder of chapter twelve and see that he applies his transformed thinking to how we function as members of the body of Christ. Each of us has an individual function. We are neither all the same nor placed in the body for the same function.
Therefore, to truly be “living sacrifices” who obey and please God, we must think in terms of our function and the faith God has measured to us for that function.
Dear Father, thank you for transformed thinking. Enable us to yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit that he might truly transform us for your glory. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be courageous today in your thinking and function,