Romans 12:3-5, “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.”
Coaches are fond of the saying, “There’s no ‘I’ in ‘TEAM,’” and similarly, Paul gives a strong warning to us to be careful not to have an exaggerated sense of self-esteem. It’s in our DNA to think about ourselves first, but our new nature, our redeemed, spirit-led nature should look differently from that. Instead, Paul tells us to be level-headed and give ourselves a fair evaluation. Don’t think of yourself as a big shot. You haven’t arrived yet! Everyone else around you that God has placed in His church has talents, abilities, and giftings, and are all different one from another. You, like them, have your share of shortcomings too. We don’t get to measure ourselves with our own yardstick, but with the standard of faith God has set forth in His Word.
Paul challenges us to think of the various ways in which each distinct individual is able to be a blessing to others and to the church in general by using the particular gift with which, in association with faith, God has endowed him or her. He is instructing each of those addressed to recognize the diversity of gifts amid the unity of faith, and to ask, “How can I make the best use of my gift so as to benefit each and all?” We move forward together as a team, not as individuals.
