Two-Minute Drill: Humilty by CJ Mahaney

Foolish is the man who would write a book on humility. Inevitably, people are bound to think that the writer thinks he's humble, which of course, is anything but humble! That's why I think that Mark Dever in his endorsement of CJ Mahaney's latest book, Humility, describes his friend this way: "CJ Mahaney is not humble. At least, that's what he'll tell you. And that's one reason he's so well qualified to write this book."

I've really come to enjoy CJ's heart for the cross and the gospel, his passion to apply the scriptures to our daily lives, for his intentionality in his pursuit of Jesus and the humor (usually self-deprecating) which makes him enjoyable to read and listen to.

The book is divided into three parts:

Part One is a reminder that "no matter our age or vocation, humility is our greatest friend and pride our greatest enemy." Part Two drives us straight to the gospel as we remember that "genuine humility requires a radical redefinition of success." And then in Part Three, CJ gets very practical in helping us to see the opportunities in every-day life to harvest humility.

In Chapter One, CJ gives this definition of humility: Humility is honestly assessing ourselves in light of God's holiness and our sinfulness. From Isaiah 66:2, he reminds us of the biblical promise that humility draws the gaze of God and that our efforts to rid ourselves of pride should be driven by the promise that God gives grace to the humble.

In Chapter Two, CJ reminds us through the words of John Stott that "At every stage of our Christian development and in every sphere of our Christian discipleship, pride is the greatest enemy and humility our greatest friend." God hates pride passionately because pride is when sinful human beings aspire to the status and position of God and refuse to acknowledge their dependence upon Him.

Chapter Three redefines greatness from others serving us (pride) to our serving others for the glory of God (humility). Chapter Four passes on this critical truth: to learn true humility, we need more than a redefinition of greatness; we need even more than Jesus' personal example of service. What we need is his death. True greatness is attained only by emulating the Savior's example - and made possible only by the Savior's sacrifice.

The remaining chapters are a list of suggestions for weakening pride and cultivating humility. I have included the list here:

Always:

1. Reflect on the wonder of the cross of Christ.

As Each Day Begins:

1. Begin your day by acknowledging your dependence upon God and your need for God.
2. Begin your day expressing gratefulness to God.
3. Practice the spiritual disciplines - prayer, study of God's Word, worship. Do this consistently each day and at the day's outset, if possible.
4. Seize your commute time to memorize and meditate on Scripture.
5. Cast your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.

As Each Day Ends:

1. At the end of each day, transfer the glory to God.
2. Before going to sleep, receive this gift of sleep from God and acknowledge His purpose for sleep.

For Special Focus:

1. Study the attributes of God
2. Study the doctrines of grace.
3. Study the doctrine of sin.
4. Play golf as much as possible.
5. Laugh often, and laugh often at yourself.

Throughout Your Days:

1. Identify evidences of grace in others.
2. Encourage and serve others each and every day.
3. Invite and pursue correction.
4. Respond humbly to trials.

For parents, he leaves us with this question - what are your ambitions for your children? Are any of your ambitions in line with true greatness as defined in Scripture? Are any of your ambitions for your child more important to you than their cultivation of humility and servanthood? Are any of these ambitions more important to you than their learning to serve others for the glory of God? Are you preparing your child to stand before the judgment seat of Christ?

To help our children become truly great in the eyes of God, here are a few of CJ's recommendations:

1. Parents are to be an example of greatness for their children. Do we exhibit grace by serving others to the glory of God?
2. Parents must clearly define true greatness for their children. How would your child define true greatness?
3. Parents must teach their children to discern and admire true greatness. Ask your child whom do they admire and why?
4. Intentionally teach your children to serve and whenever possible, serve in the church with your child.