Daily Devotional

-July 1, 2021-

Good morning, happy Thursday,

-Not Thinking Of Ourselves More Highly Than We Should-

“For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each a measure of faith.”

(Romans 12:3).

For every believer there is a fine balance of how we think of ourselves. On the one hand, we are children and sons of God, heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. We have a very high and blessed position in Christ. On the other hand, we are sinners saved by grace and everything we have has been given to us from above. God’s mercy did not give us what we deserve and His grace gave us what we did not deserve.

It is easy to think of ourselves too highly. Pride is a sin we must always be in guard against. Proverbs 27:2 says, “Let another praise you, and not of your own own mouth; a stranger and not your own lips.” Pride comes naturally, humility must be learned. When we think of ourselves too highly, God has a way of bringing down and humbling us.

Paul says we should think soberly. It is so important to put the Lord first, others second, and ourselves last. The acronym J-O-Y has always blessed my heart: Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last. If we keep this perspective, our lives will be properly balanced. If we don’t, it so easy to get off track and out of focus.

The true measure of a man or woman is: what do they think about God, others, and themselves? Paul wrote in Philippians 2:3-4, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each of you esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”

When we think correctly, we will live correctly. Jesus said in Luke 14:11, “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” We have nothing to be proud of, for everything we have is from the Lord and God has used so many people in our lives to get to where we are today. Let us give the Lord all the glory.

Have blessed day putting Jesus first, others second, and ourselves last. Stay safe and healthy.

In His grace,

Dean