Romans
12:3 For by the grace given to me I say
to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to
think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith
that God has assigned.
Sooner or later, a wise leader will want to assess
his own work and evaluate the quality of his oversight. So what is the biblical
way to think about self-assessment?
Paul gives us a starting point in this passage. The
context for his exhortation is the effective use of our spiritual gifts in the
body of Christ. To use our gifts well, the apostle says we need to examine
ourselves soberly. We are to look with serious integrity at our motivations and
actions.
To see ourselves the way we ought to see ourselves
is a product of grace. The reason we can be honest about our failings or
successes is because we know there is forgiveness for us in Christ. And because
we are accepted in him – just as we are – we do not need to exaggerate our
accomplishments. Nor do we need to magnify and dwell on our faults. The ability
to see ourselves the way we really are is grounded in the gift of God’s grace.
When we apply this principle to our stewardship and
leadership role in ministry, we recognize that self-assessment should be a
regular, faith-centered exercise. Such an approach will be characterized by
honest, deliberate and sober grace-filled judgment. This allows a leader to
hold himself accountable to the same high standards that he holds other members
of the organization.
We are gifted for the
roles God has placed us into. Faith, leadership, service and generosity make up
just a few of the characteristics of Christian leadership. May God’s grace
guide and grow you into the role he has placed you into.
