Humility - True Greatness

a review by Kevin Binkley

"If I met someone presuming to have something to say about humility, automatically I'd think him unqualified to speak on the subject." So begins the introduction to C. J. Mahaney's recent book Humility: True Greatness. No one is really qualified to write this book and the author knows it. He makes clear from the onset that his qualifications to write a book on humility stem more from his wrestling to find humility than his attainment of it. C. J. says, "I'm a proud man pursuing humility by the grace of God. I don't write as an authority on humility; I write as a fellow pilgrim walking with you on the path set for us by our humble Savior."

Humility is a slippery virtue. If it ever comes close to being in your grasp it most certainly is slipping away. The writer defines humility as honestly assessing ourselves in light of God's holiness and our sinfulness. Any pride on our part is a misunderstanding of one or both sides of this definition. "Why does God hate pride so passionately? Here's why: Pride is when sinful human beings aspire to the status and position of God and refuse to acknowledge their dependence upon Him." The more a man understands, acknowledges, and accepts his standing before a Holy God, the more likely a man is to have the seeds of humility in his life.

The book tells us that "Pride is more than the first of the seven deadly sins; it is itself the essence of all sin." Contrary to popular and false belief, it is not "Those who help themselves," C. J. says "Whom God helps; it's those who humble themselves." The writer encourages men to pursue humility, and redefines true greatness as "serving others for the glory of God." One illustration in the book compared the traits that made some churches stand out among others. One key factor, writes Mahaney, was "...a strong emphasis on humility, especially among the leaders."

C. J. is not careful to avoid provocative statements. He pulls up the weeds of church problems and finds pride to be the root. "Pride takes innumerable forms but has only one end: self-glorification. Pride ... undermines unity and can ultimately divide a church. Show me a church where there's division, where there's quarreling, and I'll show you a church where there's pride." The pursuit of humility will slowly rot away the roots of pride.

Humility will likely never be attained by sinful man, but Mahaney wants to bend the reader's trajectory in that direction. He includes helpful tips on how to see and learn humility. He encourages readers to "reflect on the wonder of the cross." The cross certainly makes a statement about the love of God, but it also declares the ultimate depravity of mankind. Understanding ones condition leads to humility. Study the doctrine of sin, says Mahaney, without it the heart grows hard. The ultimate effect from such hardening by sin is that grace, for the Christian, is no longer amazing.

Mahaney suggests, "Begin your day acknowledging your need for God" and "...expressing gratitude to God." C. J. quotes Michael Ramsey who said "Thankfulness is a soil in which pride does not easily grow."

This book is a must read for anyone who wants be more humble. And for those who don't, It is even more important-- for you need it the most. In the end, if in reading this book you have been convicted of pride in any form, of failing to humble yourself or failing to glorify God, "...take time now," says C. J. , "to flee to the cross."