For by the grace given to me I bid every one 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 which God has assigned him. For as in one body we have many members, and all the members do not have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; he who teaches, in his teaching; he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who contributes, in liberality; he who gives aid, with zeal; he who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. Romans 12:3–8 (RSV)
It may be how the words are ordered or the truth they speak, but the opening sentence of this passage from St. Paul's letter to the Romans grabs me. He charges us 'not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think.'
Some will automatically take this to mean that a Christian is a groveler, loudly proclaiming his unworthiness. This cannot be further from St. Paul's intent. Humility and meekness are not evidence of a weak, spineless person who can only lament the wretchedness of their sin.
A Christian knows themselves as they are before God. We see the truth of who we are. Yes, we live in repentance, for we will always be sinners. This does not mean that we have no value before the Father. Our repentance clears aways the barriers so we might know our talents and their limits. We can take what the Father has given us, making use of it for the blessing of all.
Our Lord wishes that we see ourselves as clearly as He does so we might let go of what is not useful and take up the good we have been given to accomplish.