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. For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.In verse three, Paul uses a play on words to explaining that as followers of Jesus, we are not to be arrogant about our status as a Christian. The phrase to think more highly of oneself than he ought to think literally means to have an arrogant opinion of oneself. Instead Paul states that we are to have sound judgment as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. Paul’s point here is that as followers of Jesus, we are to carefully consider with wisdom the reality that it is God who has given is the gift of faith and brought us into relationship with Christ. It is not what we have done for God; because all of humanity selfishly rebelled and rejected God. It is our selfish pride that is the problem, but it is what God has done for us through Christ that brings us into relationship with Him. And this reality should cause us to be self controlled in our opinion of ourselves and lead us to a life of humility.
Now a natural question that arises here is “well, what exactly were the members of the church at Rome arrogant about when it came to their status as a Christian?” Paul provides the answer for us in verse 4-5. Paul explains that just as that there are many parts that compose our bodies and each of these individual parts have a different role and function that helps the body function correctly; so we, who are many, are one body in Christ. And because of that reality, just like the individual parts of the human body, there are many individual followers of Jesus who partner together to form the body of Christ and help it to function correctly.
You see, we are not independent but interdependent. However, some members of the church at Rome viewed themselves as being independent of other followers of Jesus and had become arrogant because of the spiritual gifts that God had given them. And it is here that we see Paul reveal for us a second aspect of a lifestyle of worship that followers of Jesus should practice in their lives. And that aspect is that followers of Jesus are to practice a lifestyle of worship that pleases God through our response of service.
In verses 6-8, the apostle Paul explains that, as followers of Jesus, we are to exercise the spiritual gifts that we have been given. You see, God’s grace in our lives is not only evidenced in our salvation; God’s grace in our lives is evidenced in the spiritual gifts we have been given. All of us, when we become followers of Jesus, are given at least one spiritual gift. Now you may be wondering “what is a spiritual gift?” A spiritual gift is a God given inner motivation that enables you to meet the needs of others in a way that builds up others spiritually.
The spiritual gifts that God gives us can be divided into two main groups. The first group are called speaking gifts. These gifts are the gifts of evangelism, exhortation, pastor- shepherding, and teaching. The second group are called serving gifts. These gifts are the gifts of administration or leading, faith, giving, mercy, and helps or serving. Paul’s point here is that followers of Jesus practice a lifestyle of worship that responds by committing to live a life that is surrendered to serving God by exercising the spiritual gifts we have been given as we partner together as a church to advance God’s kingdom mission.
Now, here is a question to wrestle with: As a follower of Jesus, are you practicing a lifestyle of worship that is investing your spiritual gifts and talents serving God by serving others? If not, why not? As followers of Jesus, we are to humbly respond to God’s rescue and God’s gifting by living a lifestyle of worship that serves God by serving others. Because, when we serve others by exercising our spiritual gifts, we are serving God and are being used by God to help others grow spiritually.
Tomorrow, we will see Paul reveal a third aspect of a lifestyle of worship that followers of Jesus should practice in their lives...
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