The Measure of Faith—Romans 12:3
"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 measure of faith God has given you" (Romans 12:3)
With the renewing of our mind comes the realization that we have been given like precious faith just as all the saints before us received ( II Peter 1:1 ). At salvation God gave to each one of us the same measure and we are to use this faith to accomplish the will of God for our lives. He has given everyone of us the full amount but it is up to us to tap into this power source and complete God's plan for us. This happens by renewing our mind to God's word and letting his truth become the catalyst of our faith. When we do this, then we will be able to test and prove his perfect will for us ( Romans 12:2 ).
Today's verse is a continuation of the previous verses in Romans 12. "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will" ( Romans 12:1-2 ). Every one of us has a perfect plan that we can prove if we yield ourselves completely to the Lord as a living sacrifice. This plan is because of God's mercy toward us. So in view of that, we are to be transformed by the renewal of our minds. Understanding his mercy is what makes this all possible. This is why Paul urged us to be living sacrifices. His mercy brings about the desire to devote and consecrate our lives to him. Then by renewing our mind to the word we will be transformed into his likeness and prove his perfect will for our lives. Because of this, we are given this measure of faith to accomplish this plan.
"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 measure of faith God has given you" ( Romans 12:3 ). This verse is in direct relation to the pervious verses. Because of this grace given us we are to understand our position in regard to faith. We shouldn't think of ourselves more highly then we ought, but in the same manner we shouldn't think of ourselves lowly either. We are given the same measure of faith to accomplish God's will for our lives, understanding that his will and his plan are a gift. Everything comes from God and nothing is on our account. We simply live it out by being living sacrifices, renewing our mind and walking in faith.
One of the important reasons to understand the truth of God's word is that it gives us the keys to operating in faith. We have all been given the same measure, so the problem isn't the amount it is the application. Our faith is sufficient. It's our minds that don't know what we have that gives us the problem. This is why we should consider ourselves in sober judgment, knowing that each one of us has the very same amount. God doesn't give great faith to one and little faith to another. We all have what we need for this life. But, we must be plugged into the power source and understand how to use it to accomplish God's will for us. Our faith is what proves his will. By renewing our minds to his truth we will see this plan unfold. By understanding the truths of God's word we will know how to use this faith that has been given us.
Today, may you understand that you have the full measure of faith. May you renew your mind to the truth of God's word so you can test and prove his perfect plan for your life. Walk in faith today just as all the saints before you did, amen.