Romans 12:3-5(NKJV)
3For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
In these verses Paul starts by making this statement, “For I say, through the grace given to me…..” The New Living Translation say, “Because of the privilege and authority given me.” When Paul gives advice it should be taken in light of the many trials Paul had been through and the victories he won along the way. It should be received in light of the fact that Paul had a greater revelation of what Christianity really was than any other New Testament writer. His word must carry weight.
Who is he writing to in this verse? It says to everyone who is among you. Was he referring to the whole city of Rome? No. Was he writing to the leaders of the city? No. Was he writing to the pastor of the Roman church? Was he writing to a particular Roman church, maybe the Baptist or Pentecostal church of Rome? No and no. He is writing to all the saints in Rome. That means all of the believers no matter where they may worship or what group they are a part of. Since God thought enough of Paul’s letter to put it in the Bible, I think it is safe to say that he is really writing to all Christians everywhere. If you are Born Again this letter is to you.
So what is Paul’s important advice? First of all he says to us not to think more highly of ourselves than we should, but that we should think soberly. What does he mean by this? I believe his point is that we are all the same. None of us should think that we are somehow better than anyone else. We are all in a better position than the world because of our relationship with Jesus, but once we have that relationship we are all the same. Those in authority should not think they are better than those who are under them. Those who are blessed with wealth should not look down on those who may not be so blessed. Those with gifts that may be more obvious and more public should not look down on those whose gifts may be more “behind the scenes.” They should understand that all gifts and all people are important to God.
Conversely those who are of the latter groups, must not think that because someone else may be more outwardly gifted or any other thing that would make them stand out, they are somehow less in the Body of Christ. We are all important. We all have our part to play. This is a real problem because we have become such a celebrity oriented society. We are consumed with the “lifestyles of the rich and famous.” We are made to think that anyone who has a talent or a position is somehow special. If we could be like them, our problems would be solved. We would be somebody. Our lives would have meaning. This is a bad thing when it is in the world, it is even worse when we let that thinking creep into the church.
Paul tells us that God has given to each person, no matter what their gift or calling “a measure of faith.” When we see the word “measure” we tend to think quantity. Some have a bigger measure than others. Maybe some get a cup of faith while others get a quart. Those with large ministries must have a bigger measure than those who have smaller ministries or labor in the church. This is not at all what he is saying.
Each person has a gift or a calling from God. God makes sure that they have the measure it takes to get that done. None is greater than another, they are just different in terms of the job they do, but we all have the same capacity for faith.
I want to introduce a word here that we will look at this week. It is the heart of what I believe God wants me to say. What is the measure really. It is the potential to believe God. In our culture which is driven by the idea that the few are special and to be envied, it is essential that you understand this truth. No one has greater potential to believe God than you do. Whatever you need to do what God has called you to do, you can believe for. No person has more ability to believe God than you do.
As we look at this idea this week, meditate on this fact. I can believe God. I can do all things through Christ. I can have a world changing faith. You have been given by God great potential. All you need to do is unlock it and you will succeed.
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