Self-Appreciation.
I. Every man's view of himself is meant to be a correct deliberate thing, according to the facts of the case neither degrading himself too low, nor vaunting himself too high, but thinking of himself as he really is and as God has been pleased to make him.
II. To guide us in such investigations the Apostle gives one single rule "to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." It is a remarkable expression of his. It is not saying, Judge of yourselves according to the knowledge, or the peace, or the good works, or the attainments, or the powers you have made. But "the measure of faith." Does he say this because everything that is good in a man's heart is faith? Or is it that every other good thing being proportioned to the faith we have, the measure of the faith is indeed the measure of everything that a man has, or that a man can attain, and so becomes the measure of the man, i.e.,is the man? Whichever it be, see the important part which faith acts in all our relations. We are really before God what our faith makes us. Realise the love of God to you, and by that realisation you have it.
J. Vaughan, Sermons,1865, p. 9.
References: Romans 12:4; Romans 12:5. Homilist,3rd series, vol. ii., p. 170. Romans 12:5. A. Barry, Cheltenham College Sermons,p. 13; Church of England Pulpit,vol. xviii., p. 265; S. Baring-Gould, Village Preaching for a Year,p. 283.Romans 12:6. W. C. E. Newbolt, Counsels of Faith and Practice,p. 255; E. M. Goulburn, Thoughts on Personal Religion,p. 304.Romans 12:10. E. Blencowe, Plain Sermons to a Country Congregation,p. 232; H. J. Wilmot Buxton, Sunday Sermonettes for a Year,p. 170; Saturday Evening,p. 215.