Review: "Humility:True Greatness" by C.J. Mahaney

Just finished reading C.J. Mahaney's book "Humility: True Greatness".
This is the first book I've read by the author. In this small but
packed book, Mahaney writes about an important subject in an
un-boring manner. Anecdotes grace the pages, many humourous, many
have him as the target of the jokes. These stories serve to drive home
the point, and make it easy to remember Mahaney's points. This book
isn't a dry read at all.

Structure

The book is divided into three parts. Part one deals with why we must
seek humility. Part 2 deals with what this humility we must seek is.
Part 3 deals with how to work towards this humility.

PART ONE: WHY?

Chapter one answers the important question: Why are we to seek
humility? Because it draws the gaze of God and attracts more of his
grace.



In Isaiah 66:2 we read these words from the Lord:

This is the one to whom I will look:
he who is humble and contrite in spirit
and trembles at my word.

For further investigation: "There's something you can do to attract
more of God's grace!" "Those who humble themselves are given grace,"
Mahaney says. Either I'm playing nitpicking smart aleck, or I
don't understand it yet: I thought grace was something that was
undeserved. If we can do things to get more grace, does it not nullify
the grace?

Chapter two is on the dangers of pride and why we should rid ourselves
of it. "Pride is when sinful humans aspire to the status and position
of God and refuse to acknowledge their dependence upon Him." God hates
pride. Pride disturbs our relationship with Christ. Pride leads to
unnecessary division.

PART TWO: WHAT?

After finding out the reasons why we are to seek humility, we are then
given a tour of what humility looks like. Humility is true greatness.
The greatness of a Christian is opposite of the world's definition.
"Serving others for the glory of God" is Mahaney's succinct definition
of true greatness. Greatness is demonstrated perfectly by the Servant,
Jesus Christ.

For further investigation: The author asserts that the disciples
were changed from self-confident, proud followers to bold, selfless
martyrs because of the death of Christ. The transformation that
occurred between Mark 10 and Acts 12, the author asserts, is owing to
the death of Christ on the cross. How does this fit in with all the OT
disciples, who lived before Christ's death took place?

PART THREE: HOW?

The last part of the book gives practical tips that Mahaney has
gathered over his life. The tips cover a wide area:

• how to start the day


• how to end the day


• doctrines to study


• laugh


• interpersonal relationships (look for evidences of grace in
  others; encourage others; invite and pursue correction)


• divine perspective on suffering

To flesh out a few:

• For the proud, looking for faults in others is a habit. Mahaney
  suggests looking for evidences of grace in other believers. Bad habits
  must be replaced with something else. This bad habit of fault-finding
  could be kicked out if it were replaced by finding out how the Lord is
  working in a fellow Christian's life.


• During bedtime, remind yourself that sleep is an indication
  of our creaturely dependence on God.


• On suffering, it should humble us to think that even the worst
  suffering doesn't give us what we deserve.

For further investigation: Looking for evidences of grace in other
believers is a good thing. Surely it is helpful for one's soul to look
for evidences of grace in oneself, is it not?

Conclusion

In this book we are told of the incentive, the definition, and
practical steps towards humility. We are all proud, varying only in
degree. The person who thinks he doesn't need this book needs it most!
The person who doesn't like reading will find this book to be easy to
read. This book will benefit all Christians. Let's all strive
towards humility, which is true greatness!

The publisher has the first chapter available for download here.