April 15 Click on verses for Full Scripture

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Today's Pathway: Romans 12:3-5 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

In Romans 12:1-2 Paul gave an overview of what the Christian life ought to be. Beginning in verse 3 he discusses the relationships that Christians should have with each other. He starts by telling the Roman church members that they should not think too highly of themselves. He very pointedly states that he is speaking to "every man among you". So no one, regardless of their position or abilities, has the right to think of himself more highly than he should. Paul writes in Galatians 6:3:

"For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself."

"Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find".

"For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am" (I Corinthians 15:10).

Rather than think pridefully, the Christian should think soberly. The Greek word translated "soberly" is a compound word which combines the words for "save" and "mind". Thus, the literal meaning of "sober" is "saved thinking". Instead of thinking pridefully, the believer ought to think like a saved person should. The world thinks in a self-centered fashion. The Christian ought to think in a selfless fashion. Paul then adds,

"according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."

"In this context, a 'measure of faith' seems to refer to the correct measure of the spiritual gift and its operating features that God sovereignly bestows on every believer. Every believer receives the exact gift and resources best suited to fulfill his role in the body of Christ."

In verses 4-5 Paul draws a comparison between the human body and the body of Christ, which is the local church (Ephesians 1:22-23; I Corinthians 1;2, 12:27). In the human body there are many "members". Back in Romans 6:13 Paul spoke about the Christian "yielding his members", which meant yielding our eyes, or ears, or hands, or feet etc. So, just as the human body has many different parts, and each part has a different ability and responsibility, so the church has many different parts as well. Some are in positions of leadership. Some play musical instruments. Some teach. Some do skilled labor. Some take care of children. Some handle the finances. But each one is using the gifts and talents that God gave him or her for the benefit of the church. All are necessary, and for one member to look down on another member is prideful and sinful. We are also "members one of another". We are dependent upon each other, because not one member has the skills and gifts to do it all. Just as the human body needs to have all its parts functioning properly in order to thrive, so the church needs all its parts functioning properly if it is to thrive as well.

What attitude do you have towards your own abilities, and what actions are you taking to use them for the benefit of your church?