I don’t know how it is with you, but I have a number of Scripture passages to which I refer off and on, sometimes out of need, sometimes reminded of it when I’m listening to something else. Recently I was listening to a sermon on the text, Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought to think (Romans 12:3)
I’m sure he preached with integrity on that word, but before he was too far along, another word of Paul, one to which I often return, had captured my thinking. “Not that I have already attained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me His own.”(Philippians 3:13)
I believe there are two frames of reference out of which we tend to operate as Christians – either which is debilitating to our Christian growth and service. One is a false humility that refuses to name and claim our gifts. The second is a confidence that claims too much for ourselves, and is not dependent enough upon the power of Christ.
Paul, in a text to which I often return (Philippians 3:13), gives the antidote for a false humility that refuses to name and claim our gifts, and a confidence that claims too much for ourselves and is not dependent enough on the power of Christ. I invite you to claim this as I have.
We may be hesitant to make claims about where we are in our spiritual growth – but there should be no hesitance in our unshakable conviction and confidence that Christ Jesus has made us His own. We recognize who and where we are.