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
12:3 ESV
What do you suppose Paul is
trying to get at with this verse? Maybe, its not all about you? The
reality of the human mind is that we have a tendency to think of our
selves first and others after. That thought process not only causes
problems in the world, but in the church as well. Paul is trying to
get the point across that we are a part of the whole. We are not the
sum of the whole.
He wants his readers to
think more clearly than what comes naturally. He wants people to see
beyond themselves and to the needs of others and of the body as a
whole. This is why he says think with sober judgement. As Christians
we need to take on a new thought process, we need to stop thinking as
the world thinks.
We need to think like Jesus.
Paul said this about Jesus; though he was in the form of God, did
not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,but emptied
himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness
of men. Philippians 2:6,7 ESV
Jesus understood that there was more to His existence on earth than
just His own desires. Jesus came to serve, not to be served. Although
God Himself, Jesus put the needs of others before His own. We as
Christians need to follow in His footsteps. Our place is to serve one
another, serve the body. Fulfill our part in service to God.
We
should take comfort daily, that we are blessed by God because of His
grace toward us. Knowing that we are blessed, should be leading us to
want others to be blessed in Jesus as well. Today let's put the needs
of others before ours and serve from the heart according to the
measure of faith that God has given us.
© 2012
Leo J. Woodman
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