The Apostle Paul was gifted man. As a Pharisee, he strove to be the best Pharisee possible in an effort to stand head and shoulders above the rest. As a Christian, he poured his talents and energies into spreading the good news of Jesus, planting churches, shaping church leaders, and encouraging believers. He was an impressive man, but he tried not to be overly impressed with himself.
One of the greatest dangers for a believer is pride. Pride puff us up. Pride trips us up. Pride will eventually take us down. So, as Paul writes to the church in Rome, he warns them not to become overly enthralled with themselves – with their spiritual gifts, natural talents, or well-honed skills. Everything they possessed was by the grace of God – EVERYTHING. The same is true for us!
He says that they were to think of themselves with “sober judgment.” As C.S. Lewis wrote in his insightful book Mere Christianity, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.” We are to see ourselves as we truly are with our strengths and weakness, our successes and our failures, our good days and bad ones. We are not to become depressed over our faults or impressed with our achievements. Having a sober judgment of ourselves means making a sound judgment, a right judgment.
I wake up every day grateful. I am grateful for the gift of another day. I am grateful for the gift of my family. I am grateful for my calling to shepherd God’s people. I am grateful for the things God has accomplished through me. I am grateful for the encouragers God has place around me. I am grateful for the opportunities I have had to put my feet on other continents to share the message of Jesus. I am grateful for ALL OF IT comes as a gift from God.
Paul would write to the church in Corinth, “by the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Corinthians 15:10). Let us all have the Spirit-given wisdom to say the same.
Be Transformed 