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. 4 For as in one body we have many members,[e] and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads,[f] with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. Romans 12:3-8
In light of the mercies of God believers should respond by living a transformed life that is acceptable to God. A characteristic of this acceptable life is one that is humble. Ultimately our humility should be rooted in the truth that God is God and we are not.
In Romans 12:3-8 Paul interestingly connects humility to gifts that God gives and that believers function in. Paul ties humility with believers functioning in these gifts in response to the gospel and in service of the body. As we live our lives with other believers we are put in an interesting place where we begin to understand in greater ways that life is not about ourselves. Our selfish natures are revealed as we are forced to share our time, talent and treasure with others. The gifts that we often find pride in exist not for our own glory but for Gods. Not our own benefit, but for the bodies. Our controlling tendencies are confronted as watch others make decisions that affect us both directly and indirectly. Our pride is confronted as others point out our failures and sin.