Romans 12:3-4: “For by the grace given me I say to everyone among you not think of himself more highly than he ought to think but with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”
What determines a person’s worth? I was reading reactions on Twitter to Sarah Huckabee Sanders resignation. I am appalled at the brazen, self-superior, arrogant comments from people from the far left against her. They must enjoy hurting others that are not absorbed in their culture’s mindset. They are hateful and arrogant. I encounter this thinking with some from my workplace, and every time I sit in the chair, getting my hair cut and colored. It is time to make a change in that particular regard. As Paul admonished in Romans 12:1-2, we as believers have to examine with godly discernment, our culture’s mindset on views and examine it against the Word of God. We are to be a transformer and not a conformer.
Before Paul’s conversion, he would have been acting similar to today’s culture’s far left political agendas. But Paul is humble. He states: “For by the grace given me.” Paul considered himself to be arrogant at one time in his life. He is being transparent. But on his apostolic authority, he was saying, “As one who once nurtured an exalted view of myself, let me give you some humble advice.” Chuck Swindoll.
Paul never forgot the abundant grace given to him from the Lord (Rom. 15:15) and that it has also been apportioned to every believer (Eph. 4:7). The grace of God helps us every day and is offered through the love and mercy found in Jesus Christ. The concept of grace is most used by Paul in his writings in the New Testament.
In the body of believers, we each have been given gifts and talents, skills and techniques, abilities given to us by God, to uplift and strengthen others. Do you know what yours are? What excites you? What motivates you? Don’t hide it – use it for God’s intended purpose to use for His glory in response to worshipping Him. Ask God to use you to be of benefit right where He has placed you. I love a quote from the Diamond & Silk women: “Turn that mess into a message. Use that pain to change your mindset. God is not going to see you to it. He will see you through it.”
What can only you do and if you don’t do it – it won’t get done? Ask God to show you what that is so you will recognize His vision and take action. He has equipped you for the battle.
Moses was reluctant and had a fear that the people would not see and follow him as a strong leader (Ex. 4:1-13). He was afraid they would not listen to what he had to say. He was insecure and worried about how the people would respond to him. Don’t we all panic about what might go wrong in similar situations? We over analyze and over think when we should proceed in faith that where God leads, we simply must humbly trust and have a dependence upon God that He will provide resources at the right moment according to our faith in Him. Then God will bless when our security is in His watchful care of provision. Faith and obedience must go together. Larry Osborne has said, “What brings God’s favor and power is our willingness to obey and act upon whatever tiny bit of faith we have.”
God has given you His grace. We all stand on the same even platform in terms of worth or value to God. Try and see yourself as God sees you and not in comparison to anyone else. Put your identity in Christ. Success or failure – He will use for your good because of God’s grace and mercy and love surrounding you right where you are. Thank God for the grace He has given to you and the HCSB version uses the word “sensibly” – “to think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one (Rom. 12:3b).” I also like the end of verse 3 from the MSG: “The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.”
In what ways can you minister to others? Acknowledge God’s grace in your life, accept it in faith, and be used for His glory.
Listen to Jeremy Camp’s song My Defender on YouTube. Let the words sink in and sing these words throughout the day today.