Book Review: Humility: True Greatness

"Every time we look at the cross Christ seems to be saying to us, 'I am here because of you. It is your sin I am bearing, your curse I am suffering, your debt I am paying, your death I am dying.' Nothing in history or in the universe cuts us down to size like the cross. All of us have inflated views of ourselves, especially in self-righteousness, until we have visited a place called Calvary. It is there, at the foot of the cross, that we shrink to our true size." -John Stott, The Message of Galatians, p. 179

I have recently finished reading Humility: True Greatness, by CJ Mahaney. I have been truly blessed by Mahaney's humble wisdom and biblical insight on the subject of humility. It is very convicting when we come face to face with our own pride issues; but, Mahaney is faithful to remind us of the abundant daily grace, that is available to believers, as a result of what Christ accomplished on the cross.

The Bible tells us that God hates pride and arrogance (Proverbs 8:13), and Proverbs 16:5 says, "Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord." But God's Word doesn't leave us without hope. In Hebrews chapter 12:2 we are provided with a picture of ultimate humility:
"looking to Jesus the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." Mahaney reminds us that "True greatness is attained only by emulating the Savior's example-and made possible only by the Savior's sacrifice" (Humility, 58). Therefore, "in true humility, our own service to others is always both an effect of His unique sacrifice and the evidence of it" (Humility, 48), in that "the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Matthew 28:20).

I found Mahaney's book to be well organized and well written. Mahaney uses his biblical understanding, as well as his own life experiences to offer helpful, practical strategies for mortifying pride in your life, on a daily basis. Jonathan and I have commented that this will probably be a book that we will need to (and would like to) read again, as we continue to deal with our own pride and sin.