For I say, through the grace given to me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith.
—Romans 12:3 (AKJV)
God has given to every believer “the” measure of faith and not “a” measure of faith. There are no different measures of faith. God doesn’t give one believer great faith and another believer less. When we were saved, we all received an equal amount of faith. The problem that many believers have is not that they lack faith. They don’t know how to exercise the measure of faith that is theirs. They haven’t allowed the Word to renew their minds (Romans 12:2).
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
—Galatians 2:20 (KJV)
Paul said that he lived his life by the faith of the Son of God. Since we all have been given the same measure of faith as Paul, then we all have the faith of the Son of God. His faith in us is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9). When fear robs us of peace, it is not from a lack of faith. We experience the result of our minds not knowing the faith that is ours.
We have to “sober” up and be “clear-headed” about the measure of faith we have been given—not thinking more highly or lowly of ourselves than another Christian. God wants us to have a correct understanding of who we are in Christ. The faith we have is a gift that every believer has. Some experience greater benefit from their faith than others because they have exercised it and allowed God’s truth to renew their minds. They believe the promises God has given them in His Word, and they also realize it is only the grace of God that makes it possible for them to achieve anything.
I beseech you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
—Romans 12:1-2 (AKJV)
In the same way that a switch allows electricity to flow, our minds choose to allow the measure of faith that is ours to renew our thoughts and attitudes. If we don’t allow our minds to be renewed, we will not exercise the faith Christ has given us. Paul said he lived by the faith of the Son of God. Like Paul, we have the faith of the Son of God, but that faith won’t benefit our lives until we renew our minds with the Word.
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