A Humbling Standard

Romans 12:3 KJV

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Albert Barnes contends that this verse teaches us that we ought only measure ourselves by the standard of our faith. To puff ourselves up over such measures as:

·       Wealth

·       Talent

·       Education

·       Social rank

is to use standards that are fickle, subjective and subject to decay. The only measure by which a person ought to judge themselves is that of their faith, their walk with the Lord. It is by this standard and only this one that we will stand at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

The value of measuring ourselves by this standard is that it tends to the increase in humility. The Bible says, 1 Peter 5:5-6 KJV

Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

The best way to think of ourselves as we ought to think, to think of ourselves in a sober manner and to think of ourselves with humility is to think of ourselves in relationship to our walk with Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:12-13 KJV

For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, ….