Practical Exhortations From the Apostle Paul - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2024

For 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.
Romans 12:3 NKJV

Practical Exhortations From the Apostle Paul
The mostly practical part of the Epistle to the Romans begins with chapter 12. Paul shows in all his letters that he is a teacher, but not in a theoretical way. It is interesting how he introduces the following practical instructions here: through grace! God's grace is not only for the sinner's salvation, but also for the daily challenges in the believer's life.

The apostle provides two helpful benchmarks for accomplishing our tasks. First, he exhorts us to humility, that we should not think of ourselves more highly than we ought to think. We often think too much of ourselves, and have too good an opinion of ourselves. Modesty is generally not a natural quality of ours; we have to learn it. This is true regarding our character, our abilities, and our usefulness to others. Culture and education may keep us from articulating in front of others our good opinion about ourselves, but our thinking? Let's be honest!

However, we should not stop thinking altogether. Instead, the believer should "think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith." So after modesty comes sober-mindedness, or prudence. This lets us see with what measure of faith we can be a help to others. Here we are not talking about special gifts the Lord has given to individual persons only, but something He has "dealt to each one"—to you, to me—for the benefit of others! This personal measure of faith can be used in different ways. It can be used in service with the mouth, by speaking; with the hands, by practical help; or with the heart, by mercy and compassion. May the Lord show us our possibilities. And then let us do it, humbly and prudently.

-- Frank Ulrich