“Be in agreement with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation” (Romans 12:16).
It would seem that sometimes we get caught in extremes, rather than taking the proper paths in our lives. For example, there are those who think too little of themselves, who cannot see any value in their lives. This is an extreme, because we all are created in the image of God, with the talents and abilities He has given us. He loves each of us with the same love in Christ and provides each of us what we need for life today and life eternal. Satan knows, however, that thinking which belittles ourselves offers an opportunity to give in to sin. So, he tries to take advantage of such. We must always remember, however, that “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
On the other hand, the above passage of Scripture reminds us it is also possible to think too much of ourselves. This seems to be a greater temptation, as Scripture addresses this issue more than the other. Solomon said, “Don’t consider yourself to be wise; fear the Lord and turn away from evil” (Proverbs 3:7). Paul encouraged those in Philippi, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others (Philippians 2:3-4). Paul knew this could be a problem even for him. He revealed, “To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me” (2 Corinthians 12:7).
When Paul exhorted the Christians in Corinth to examine themselves to make sure they were in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5), it was because of the deceptiveness of sin, as sometimes it’s hard to see how self-centered one can become. Satan knows that exalting ourselves offers an opportunity to give in to sin, and so, he tries to take advantage of this as well. We must always remember, however, that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
Each of us has a role to play in the kingdom of God, and everyone doing one’s part is needed to fulfill the will of God, for one’s own life and for the local congregations where we serve. No one is too insignificant and no one is so important that others are not needed. We need each other working together to live for Christ and to make a difference for the sake of the Gospel. Paul pointed this out clearly to the church in Corinth, where some felt insignificant for having a lack of certain spiritual gifts and others felt overly important for having specific spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:14-31). He also reminded the Christians in Rome, “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned” (Romans 12:3).
Jesus reminded His disciples, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:42-45). If we can keep the perspective of God being Sovereign and that we are His servants, then our lives individually and collectively as His church will reflect His glory. Our service will accomplish more for Him in our unity together, and the hope of Heaven will burn more brightly as we encourage each other as fellow workers in His kingdom.
