Study of Romans 12 – Verse 3

“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)

Be Merciful Just as God Has Been Merciful to You

    At the beginning of this chapter, Paul wanted the brethren in Rome to remember God’s mercy – His mercy shown to both the Jews and the Gentiles in giving them the gospel, the “good news” of Jesus the Christ and the hope found only through Him (Romans 1:16, 2:1-16, and 11:28-32).  

    When we meditate on God’s mercy, realizing all He has done for us because He loves us; how He gave us His Son, who died to set us free from sin, how He determined beforehand that all families of the earth would be blessed by Jesus (Genesis 12:3) – how all would have access to the gospel and to “all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3); when we meditate on that, then we will willingly become living sacrifices, letting God’s word renew our minds and we will be transformed into people who are holy and acceptable to God, and we will prove His will to be good and acceptable and perfect!  

“…not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly…”

    More highly means arrogantly, haughtily, to esteem oneself overmuch; more than is proper, to be vain.

    Think soberly means to be modest (in thought and feeling), to not let one’s opinion of himself (though just) to exceed the bounds of modesty (as shown within the Bible, consider 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, 1 Timothy 2:9-10, 1 Peter 2:3-6). It means to have sound judgment, balanced, and disciplined, with thoughts and actions governed by wisdom and prudence.

    In meditating on God’s mercy, we will be better able to maintain a proper humility/humbleness – understanding who God is and who we are before Him - and we should also develop a greater capacity for showing mercy to others (Luke 6:35-36).

 “…God has dealt to each one a measure of faith”

    Think of Jesus’ parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30. One man was given five talents, another was given two, and the other only one. Each man had a responsibility to use what they had been given; each one was expected to end up with more than they started with. When we apply this to the matter of our faith, God gives some a large quantity of faith – they readily believe and willingly obey and continue to grow and develop as they learn through study and application. To others, He has given a different measure: they may hear of God, but they need to understand Him and His way (i.e. they need to see that His way is good and acceptable and perfect), then they will commit themselves to Him and His way, and continue to grow and develop in their walk. Then to others God has given a smaller measure: They hear about God, His power and might, and they believe but they are fearful of Him, and because of that fear (and their fear of doing differently than what they have always done) they don’t develop their faith beyond the point of simply believing that God exists. But we are each to develop whatever measure we were given – for some it will be easier, for others it will require effort – but, again, this is where being merciful and compassionate toward others, like God is toward us, comes into effect: those who are strong need to be helping those who are weak! Those full of faith should be examples in both word and deed to those who need God and His way to be proven, and to those who have focused on only one facet of God. Wherever we are in our faith, we need to keep going and keep growing so that we can help others to do the same!        

    Remember, not everyone has the same background, or the same upbringing. Not everyone has the same capacity to reason or understand. Not everyone has the same learning style (some are visual, some are aural/hearing, others learn through reading/writing, or through doing/hands-on). We each have our own strengths and weaknesses (both physically and spiritually), not everyone has been given the same measure of faith, so we need to be careful not to look down on a brother of sister who is weak where we are strong; instead we must help them (see Romans 15:1-2, Galatians 6:1-3). It may be that our weaker brother or sister is strong in areas that we need help, and they in turn can help us (read and think on Ephesians 4:15-16). If we are proud and unmerciful, looking down on others and/or criticizing their weakness, we are creating an obstacle that will prevent the body from functioning as it should.

    Think daily on the mercy God has shown to you. Appreciate your strengths in that they allow you to be a benefit to others, but remain aware of your own weaknesses and always lean on God for His help (2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Hebrews 4:16). Take time to read and consider Luke 18:9-14. Determine that from wherever you are right now that you will begin to grow and develop your faith, that you will seek God and submit to Him, wholly trusting that His way is the best way!

You can do it! So can I!!