Video Notes: 

• Our salvation is from God as a gift. It is not only undeserved, but we actually deserved condemnation. So, we have nothing to think highly of ourselves regarding our salvation.
• Each of us has gifts to use in the church. Those gifts are also, as the name implies, gifts from God by His grace. So, we have nothing to think highly of ourselves in regard to our gifts.
  • Our worldly way of looking at things may lead us to think some gifts are better than others.
  • Romans is telling us that’s the wrong way to look at things. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ with gifts given by God and we are interdependent on each other.
    • 1 Corinthians 12:23
      • Some gifts naturally tend to bring more affirmation. These “less honorable” (common) gifts tend to be “thankless” jobs and we should go out of our way to affirm and honor the people with these gifts.
• We should think with sober judgment. This means that while we don’t think too highly of ourselves (thinking we are better than others), we also don’t think too lowly of ourselves (that we are nothing or less than others).
  • We also remember that all the gifts are needed. So, we shouldn’t be envious of the gifts others have.
• Authority vs Pride – While we do not consider anyone greater than anyone else, we do need to recognize that God does give some authority over others for good order. Though, we submit to authority with wisdom and discernment.
• Measure of faith – Romans hasn’t indicated levels of faith. So, we shouldn’t read too much into this. The last thing we should do is start categorizing who has what level of faith, thinking more highly of some and less of others. The main point is that faith is a gift and it is by faith that we think with sober judgment about ourselves and the gifts and vocations or callings we have been given.