Pope Shenouda III reflects on the apostolic saying, “One should not think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sound judgment,” explaining that God has given each person a different portion of faith and different gifts according to His grace.
Not all people are at the same spiritual level, nor do they possess the same gifts and abilities; therefore, a person should not compare himself with others or try to occupy a place that God has not given him.
Spiritual Message
The teaching emphasizes the necessity for a person to accept the portion that God has given him, while being faithful in using and developing it rather than becoming negligent or proud.
A person should not envy those who are greater than him in grace or spiritual stature, but should pray that he may grow in grace according to the way God desires.
The beginning is not what matters most, but the end; a person may begin with a small portion of faith and remain faithful to it, growing until he reaches a great level, while another may begin with a large portion and then lose it because of unfaithfulness.
Educational Lesson
Pope Shenouda explains that sound judgment in spiritual life means that a person should walk according to his true abilities and gifts, rather than according to impulse, emotion, or daydreams.
Whoever has been given the gift of wisdom should use it; whoever has been given meekness should walk in it; and whoever has been given the ability to love, endure, or give generously should work with the talent that is in his hands.
He warns against trying to imitate others or reshape oneself in a way that differs from the gifts God has given, because a person may lose what he already has without obtaining what he desires.
Practical Application
The practical application is for every person to be faithful in the little that is in his hands, whether he is a simple servant, a member of a family, or responsible for a limited task.
God is the One who appoints a person over much when He finds him faithful in little; it is not the person who raises himself to a higher level than the one appropriate for him.
The teaching also emphasizes that within a person are many spiritual abilities and capacities that he may not yet have discovered, and therefore he should respond to grace and use the gifts God has given him instead of asking for things he does not even use.
The faith God has given a person should be a practical faith that is used in life, rather than merely words or wishes, because God has given each person a portion of grace and gifts, and what is required is faithfulness in using them.
For better translation support, please contact the center.
Reflections on Romans 12: As God Has Allotted to Each One a Measure of Faith – Part 2
Main Idea
Pope Shenouda III reflects on the apostolic saying, “One should not think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sound judgment,” explaining that God has given each person a different portion of faith and different gifts according to His grace.
Not all people are at the same spiritual level, nor do they possess the same gifts and abilities; therefore, a person should not compare himself with others or try to occupy a place that God has not given him.
Spiritual Message
The teaching emphasizes the necessity for a person to accept the portion that God has given him, while being faithful in using and developing it rather than becoming negligent or proud.
A person should not envy those who are greater than him in grace or spiritual stature, but should pray that he may grow in grace according to the way God desires.
The beginning is not what matters most, but the end; a person may begin with a small portion of faith and remain faithful to it, growing until he reaches a great level, while another may begin with a large portion and then lose it because of unfaithfulness.
Educational Lesson
Pope Shenouda explains that sound judgment in spiritual life means that a person should walk according to his true abilities and gifts, rather than according to impulse, emotion, or daydreams.
Whoever has been given the gift of wisdom should use it; whoever has been given meekness should walk in it; and whoever has been given the ability to love, endure, or give generously should work with the talent that is in his hands.
He warns against trying to imitate others or reshape oneself in a way that differs from the gifts God has given, because a person may lose what he already has without obtaining what he desires.
Practical Application
The practical application is for every person to be faithful in the little that is in his hands, whether he is a simple servant, a member of a family, or responsible for a limited task.
God is the One who appoints a person over much when He finds him faithful in little; it is not the person who raises himself to a higher level than the one appropriate for him.
The teaching also emphasizes that within a person are many spiritual abilities and capacities that he may not yet have discovered, and therefore he should respond to grace and use the gifts God has given him instead of asking for things he does not even use.
The faith God has given a person should be a practical faith that is used in life, rather than merely words or wishes, because God has given each person a portion of grace and gifts, and what is required is faithfulness in using them.
For better translation support, please contact the center.