Romans 12:3-8 Serving with Kingdom’s attitude 1

Romans 12:3-8

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. 4 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 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; 7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. Romans 12:3-8

Background

What are the Kingdom’s attitudes that accompany a believer when he serves? Pride and personal agenda easily dominate the believer when it comes to service. Paul proceeds to teach the proper attitudes of service in the context of a body of believers. The believer’s service is not a channel to display one’s prowess in order to gain personal glory. But to serve out of gratitude according to the function that God has designated for each. Each member is gifted differently in order to complement one another for the good of the whole. Hence, every believer is accountable to God to discharge his service according to his capability and function. If believers adhere to proper attitudes, serving in church will be a fulfilling and exciting endeavor.

Observation

3 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.

Paul begins to develop the idea of a renewed mindset that must govern the believer’s life. This renewed mindset involves the discovery of his capabilities (with the input of others) in the context of the community of believers. He has to understand his capabilities, his unique design and function, but not to desire that which is not designated for him: not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think. But rather he must have the right mindset (sound judgment); that is to seek what God has allotted to each believer: “… a measure of faith”, which refers to both the believer’s capability and function at the point in time. It is through an objective understanding of this “measure of faith” that will give us sound judgment of our role and function within the community of believers.

4 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

Paul uses the analogy of the human body with many members, each performing specific but different functions. All members must work together in tandem and in harmony for the proper functioning of the whole body. Similarly, the church (which is the body of Jesus Christ) consist of different members performing different functions. Therefore, each member must recognize each other’s role and give honor to one another.

6 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; 7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

As God has designated each member for specifics functions, He proceeds to give grace to empower each person with gifts according to that function. Hence, every believer must be faithful in serving in the function that is designated for him. The gifts are spiritual in nature and it goes beyond the natural into the miraculous. Under the grace of God, the believer’s service has an added dimension of supernatural power that will be a blessing to the community.

Truth

1.    God does not desire us to be the best, but just to do our best in the function designated for us. Paul says, we are to serve “according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly.” Hence, there is no competition among the believers, but an expectation to perform at our personal best. We do not serve to gain the approval of people, but the approval of God. Therefore, we need not live according to the expectations of others, but we need to know what is expected of us according to the grace given to us.

2.    The purpose of the gifts is to complement one another for the good of the whole body. Therefore, we have to give honor and recognize one another’s capability and function. The individual’s gifts are not to benefit the individual but the whole as we are members of one another: so we, who are many, are one body in Christ. Hence, we must not withhold our gifts from one another but to use it unreservedly to bless.

3.    We are personally accountable to God who has given us the gifts and to exercise them faithfully. Nobody can force another to serve, but we are all personally accountable to God for the gifts we have received: Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly. In the context of smaller church startups, the grace of God will be multiplied as many will receive multiple gifts and can function in multiple roles.

Applications

1.    Write on paper the gifts that God has given you? What are the current needs of the church and her ministry focus? Ask God to show you how you could serve in your present capacity.

Dear Lord, thank You for giving me a set of gifts so that I can be of service to You. Show me the area that You want me to contribute as I am willing to serve You with my heart. Give me the ability to be excellent in my service and to be a blessing to those working with me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.