Romans 12:3-5

Passage

For through the grace that was given to me I speak to all the ones in you to not have unwarranted pride more than it is necessary to think but to think with sound judgment – to each just as God assigns a particular measure of faith.  For just as in one body we have many members, but all members do not have the same function, in the same way we are many in the body in Christ and the members of each another according to the one.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

As Paul moves forward in his teaching for the Romans, he gives us another very interesting point to absorb.  We are not to think more highly of ourselves than is necessary.  Notice what Paul says.  Some amount of pride is necessary.  At some point we need to feel like we can succeed through God’s hand at work in us.  But we shouldn’t get to the point that we are so focused on ourselves that we forget that it is God’s hand at work in us.  There is balance required.

Do you find it easy to walk the balance between confidence and pride?  Why do you need confidence?  How can pride lead to your downfall?

Second Thought:

Paul reinforces this understanding that it is God’s hand that is important.  God assigns us a measure of faith.  In other words, God gives us what we need.  It’s not my skill or my intelligence that matters.  What matters is the measure that God gives.  What makes the difference is God equipping His saints for mission.

How does it affect you to realize that God equips you?  How can that be powerful for you to hear?

Third Thought:

Paul also reminds us that we are many members but one body.  We all have different skills and in different amounts.  But we are all one body.  We are all united in Christ.  We may be different; but we are together.  We are not uniform; we are united.  We are united under Christ.

Are you willing to be under Christ?  Are you united under Christ’s will?  What is the benefit of being united under Christ?

Passage for Tomorrow: Romans 12:6-8