Romans 12:3
Scripture
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.”
Devotion:
Human beings are notoriously bad at thinking rightly about our importance. On the one hand we can think that we are but worms, and that there is nothing good or valuable or sacred about ourselves. That there is nothing special about us, nothing that sets us apart from the animals or the rest of creation. On the other hand there is an overinflated view of our significance and ability. In Romans 12:3, Paul tackles the latter of these two issues. Instead of this distorted view of ourselves we are to think with sober judgment.
Now this command comes not just from some abstract theological principle, but from the practical realities of community life in the church. If you think too highly of yourself, especially in a church setting, your mistake isn’t merely a personal mistake. It impacts everyone around us, it dictates how we interact with others, how we serve, and how we participate in the body of Christ.
Paul is speaking from personal experience here. He was so sure of his “rightness” in persecuting Christians, that it took a direct encounter with Jesus himself to rip Paul out of his arrogance. So this advice comes from a place of lived experience. He is the older brother writing to the younger brother as someone who knows.
This call to think with “sober judgment” is a call to honestly assess ourselves. Because when we do that, we see that our faith, our standing with God, our spiritual gifts, our non-spiritual gifts, even the very breath we breath, are all gifts from God. We are not the architects of our own salvation. None of us stands before God having achieved our own salvation. Each person’s faith is gifted by God in a manner that suits His divine purposes. So to think of ourselves more highly than we ought is a supreme act of spiritual foolishness.
So how do we remain humble? We look to Jesus who modeled perfect humility for us. Despite the fact that he was God incarnate, he stooped down and washed his disciple’s feet. He embraced the societal outcasts of his day. He put other’s needs before his own. He came to serve not to be served and ultimately of course, he died on the cross for his enemies.
When we look at Jesus, we are challenged to think: if the Son of God can kneel to wash the dirt from His followers’ feet, what does that say about how we should treat those around us?
Prayer:
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Lord God, I thank You for the unique blend of gifts and the measure of faith You have graciously bestowed upon me. Help me to always remember the source of my abilities and to use them in a manner that honors You. Instill in me the humility that was in Christ Jesus, that I might not elevate myself but seek to lift others up. Protect me from the deceit of pride, and anchor my heart in the truth of Your grace, that I may serve faithfully and love generously. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Spiritual Challenge for the Day:
Today, actively seek opportunities to demonstrate humility in action. Consider ways in which you can genuinely elevate others—perhaps by acknowledging their contributions, supporting their efforts, or simply by listening more than speaking. Let each interaction be guided by a spirit of service and a consciousness of the grace that supports your every action. Reflect at the end of the day on how this approach has influenced your relationships and your own spirit.