“Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought to, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.” Romans 12:3
I guess in part because they follow my favorite Bible verse, Romans 12:2, I have tended to gloss over this verse and the remainder of Chapter 12. But the sequence here from Paul is pretty exceptional, and I love that understated phrase he starts with, “sober judgment.” First, Paul tells me to be transformed by the renewing of my mind (12:2), but then warns me that the transformation might just trigger ego and pride, that is, I might get the big head (has he been reading my mail) as a result of the transformation, so I should use “sober judgment” when considering the results of that renewing. And to bring the point home in case I didn’t get it the first time, Paul then reminds me that however I have been transformed, and whatever I think of myself in light of the renewal, I am still but one piece of the puzzle – “we who are many form one body.” (12:5) Then, in what might seem like a bit of a non-sequitur if I am not paying attention, Paul jumps into love, evil, and good (12:9-21).
An exceptional sequence indeeed.
It occurs to me... 