³ For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.

Grace extends not just for salvation, but also for Christian living. Note the apostle begins every one of his letters with a form of the phrase “Grace to you ….” As we begin contemplating the outworking of our justification and what it means to live sacrificially and transformationally, we must not leave grace behind. It is only by God’s grace Paul can speak with his apostolic authority, and it is only by grace that we can respond obediently. The focus, the desire and the ability to live the Christian life comes by God’s grace. We can never forget that, but we must let that animate our efforts or we will fall into the mind of the flesh, which leads to Christian legalism.

Paul begins unpacking the grand truths of Romans 12:1-2, with instructions on how to correct our self-image. Indeed, how we view ourselves affects how we think about everything else. It is true that our struggles in this area vary along a continuum. Some of us struggle with an inflated opinion of ourselves. We see ourselves as “God’s gift to humanity.” It is true that some people are stronger, more intelligent, better looking, more skilled, more athletic, etc. than others. And some seem to be more spiritually gifted than others. But when we focus on the relative word “more,” we begin to lose sight of God’s grace. If we are “more” of something than another person, it is only by God’s grace. He can easily remove that “more” and give it someone else. We are just for God’s use. Scripture is replete with warnings about high-mindedness (see James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5, 1 Cor 10:12). The healthy Christian mindset is to see ourselves simply as vessels for the Master’s use.

On the other end of the continuum are those who think too little of themselves, whether with a false humility which is really an outward cloak for pride, or a genuine poor self-image. In Christ we have been raised up. Scripture says, “The brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position, and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation” (James 1:9-10). The person who thinks too lowly of himself, because of his lot in life or inner doubts and misgivings, should begin to think with “sound judgment” (some translations render this “sober judgment”). We should see ourselves not as being intoxicated with measurement by the world’s values, but by our relationship with God. Our gifting (about which Paul soon speaks) is to be exercised according to the faith we have, not for self-aggrandizement.

Lord, I confess my self-image has not been sober. Help me correct this.