• Rom. 12:3 (NKJV) For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think [of] [himself] more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

• The attitude which must exist between believers both in a local church and in the Global Church is one of humility.  While there may be great differences in spiritual or material resources between different members of the Global Church, each must view the other with the understanding that it is God who dealt to each one a measure of faith.

The true unity of the Body of Christ

• Rom. 12:4-5 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, [being] many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.

• The true unity which the Global Church experiences is the result of the unity of the Spirit founded on the baptism of the Spirit, I Cor. 12:12.  While the Global Church emphasizes the experiential unity which believers of like precious faith enjoy, there is a greater unity which binds all true believers in Christ in His body.

Christ the Gift Giver

• Rom. 12:6-8 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, [let] [us] [use] [them]: if prophecy, [let] [us] [prophesy] in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, [let] [us] [use] [it] in [our] ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

• Paul states the fact that each believer is what he/she is because of the work of a sovereign God.  It is God who has designed each member for a special function in the body and "has then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us."

Results of the Body Functioning as God has Designed

• Rom. 12:9-14 [Let] love [be] without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 [Be] kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

• The relationship which must exist between members of the Global church must be characterized by our pure and simple love for one-another.  Believers must be "kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit," because it is by these actions and attitudes that we serve our Lord.  The result of believers serving God as He has commanded will result in a sharing of resources as each member has needs.

The Interdependence of the Body

• 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.  16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

• Paul concludes this section with a reminder of verse 3.  Believers must have an attitude of humility towards others because each must realize that all we have and all we are and all we can ever be is a direct result of the work of God and it is all for His glory.