Measured by Faith

BEGIN AGAIN!
Terry R. Baughman

“Honestly assess your worth by using your God-given faith as the standard of measurement, and then you will see your true value with an appropriate self-esteem” (Romans 12:3b TPT).

While we guard against pride, we are also taught to have a healthy self-image. That is the biblical balance we can seek. In the text verse we are instructed to honestly assess our worth. This is very difficult due to the fact that we tend either to think of ourselves too highly, or wallow in abject despair over our feelings of worthlessness. 

Paul instructed believers to use the measure of faith, which we have all been given, to guide us to the perfect balance between pride and self-loathing. God has given every individual great value and has a wonderful purpose in our existence and our future destiny. By using the faith we have received from Him we may have great confidence in His leading. His opinion of our worth is the only perspective that matters! 

Faith is our confidence in God’s Word, our belief in His limitless ability, and our conviction of His eternal existence. The greatness of God and the vast imagination of His creation gives credence to the validity of our design. The Psalmist recognized this when he wrote that we were, “fearfully and wonderfully made,” or as The Passion Translation reads, “I thank you, God, for making me so mysteriously complex! Everything you do is marvelously breathtaking. It simply amazes me to think about it! How thoroughly you know me, Lord. You even formed every bone in my body when you created me in the secret place; carefully, skillfully you shaped me from nothing to something. You saw who you created me to be before I became me!” (Psalms 139:14-16 TPT). 

Recognizing that we are a creation of God and that He is intimately involved in our lives assures us of our great value. However, it is possible to feel overwhelmed by His infinite greatness and tempted to feel our own insignificance in view of His immensity. David questioned, “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” (Psalm 8:3-4 NIV).

Love is the only explanation for this contrast of extremes. One so great took notice of the slightest detail of creation for our benefit. God so loved the world that He gave Himself to the salvation of all humanity. He gave us, the least of all, the greatest sacrifice because of our worth to Him. 

Faith in God provides this standard with which to measure our worth. The reality of our insignificance creates humble amazement in His grace towards us. Let us adopt the attitude of the Apostle Paul, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord” (2 Corinthians 10:17 NIV). The measure of faith reaffirms our relationship with Him, and keeps us in awe of His grace. 

Theme passage:
“Be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think” (Romans 12:2 TPT).