Daily Reading: Romans 12:3-8:
”For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”
Paul can talk about pride because the grace he has found is what destroyed his pride and ushers in humility (Romans 12:3). Why would it be the grace of God that enables a discussion on pride? Because grace by it’s very definition is the unearned or unmerited favor of God. We did nothing to deserve it so we get none of the glory of it, grace in itself brings humility with it. The danger of pride is that we forget who has gifted us and who is the reason for success in our life to begin with.
Paul is really concerned about the way we think, or the mindset we have. Use that new renewed mind (Romans 12:2) not to think too highly of yourself, but to have sound judgment regarding your faith and grace and gifts (Romans 12:3).
When we realize we belong to one another- that we need each other to function properly as a body, we value one another and become more selfless. A body of believers reflects Jesus as the desire of the individual is what’s best for the other members? Because the aim of this renewed mind and right thinking and sound judgment is the right use of our gifts for the sake of the body of Christ. The aim is love. The aim is for God’s glory as well.
If we understood how much we truly are benefited by one another, we wouldn’t think of ourselves ahead of anyone else (Romans 12:3,5).
All of our various giftings of verses 6-8 ties back into verse 3- “think of yourself with sober judgment” Sound judgment here is broken down to judgment based on God's gracious freedom (He gave the gifts) and our humility (not think of yourself more highly than you ought) because of your gifting (Romans 12:3,6-8).