Humility - C.J. Mahaney

Before I get into C.J. Mahaney's Humility, I just wanted to mention a few things. First of all, I have a spreadsheet with all of the books I have, under which categories they fall, and in which order I plan on reading them. I uploaded it to a public google doc, so if you want to look at or even recommend books for my reading list, I would love that! There are quite a few books on that spreadsheet though, so chances of me getting to it soon are pretty slim. Also, if you put it on there highlight it with that yellow that is highlighting some of the books under Ecclesiology to let me know that I still need to buy them. I'd appreciate books that fall under the category of Church History and Biography, Ecclesiology, Culture & Worldview or Fiction, because those are the ones for which I don't have many. Anyway, that is all. Thanks!

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Humility: True Greatness

C.J. Mahaney

Category: Christian Living

Reading Time: ~ 6 hours

Ease of Reading: 9/10

Theme: Humility (obviously)

Denomination: Reformed Charismatic

Other Doctrines: Calvinism

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1. The Promise of Humility

There are incredible blessings that God says will come with humility. In fact, he says that God actively searches for those who are humble. There is a way we can actually attract the attention of the God Most High! Mahaney also says that our motivation for pursuing humility shouldn't be because pride is so dangerous, but because of the incredible promise that God gives grace to the humble.1

[Isaiah 66:2, 2 Chronicles 16:9, James 4:6]

2. The Perils of Pride

Pride is so dangerous for many reasons. For one, it is almost undetectable in our own lives. Second, it is at the root of almost every sin. In fact, the first sin of Lucifer was his pride and desire to be like God. Pride also powerfully brings down leaders, families, and communities. It undermines unity and causes contention among brothers and sisters in Christ. Proverbs 16:18 says "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."

"Pride is when sinful human beings aspire to the status and position of God and refuse to acknowledge their dependence upon him" (31). This is why pride heads up the list of sins that are an abomination to God in Proverbs 6:16.

[Isaiah 14:13, Proverbs 6:16-17, Proverbs 8:13, Proverbs 16:5, James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5, Proverbs 16:18]

3. Greatness Redefined

In Mark 9:33, we see an interesting conversation on greatness. The disciples all want to be the greatest in God's eyes, and in fact James and John think they are. However, instead of rebuking them for wanting to be great in his eyes, he explains to them how the can be seen as great in God's eyes: "But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all" (vv. 43-44). True greatness in the eyes of God is all around us, but do we recognize it, and are we pursuing it?

True greatness is simply: "Serving others for the glory of God" (44).

[Mark 9:33-35, Mark 10:35-37, 41-45]

4. Greatness Demonstrated

Mark 10:45 says "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." "To learn true humility, we need more than a redefinition of greatness; we need even more than Jesus' personal example of humble service. What we need is His death" (47). "And in true humility, our own service to others is always both an effect of His unique sacrifice and the evidence of it" (48). Our acts of humility should be to draw attention to the purest form of humility that has ever existed; Christ acting as our ransom. We can't do anything ourselves. Because of our sorry state, miserable lostness, and wretched bondage to sin, we need a divine rescue. In the words of Leon Morris, "We who belong to God have gotten into the power of a strong enemy from which we cannot break free. If I can say it reverently, God, if He wants us back, must pay the price" (55). "True greatness is attained only by emulating the Savior's example--and made possible only by the Savior's sacrifice" (58).

[Mark 10:45, 32, 27, Acts 12:1-2, Psalm 116:15, 1 John 3:16, Matthew 20:28]

5. As Each Day Begins

Mahaney points out that active application to remove pride and cultivate humility is necessary, and he includes a list that he's

compiled throughout his life.

- Reflect on the Wonder of the Cross

There is no way you can look at the cross and still be proud of what you are. John Stott illustrates it this way: "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'" (67).

- Begin Your Day Acknowledging Your Need for God

"Sin--including especially the sin of pride--is active, not passive. Sin doesn't wake up tired, because it hasn't been sleeping. When you wake up in the morning, sin is right there, fully awake, ready to attack" (69). If instead of waking up listening to ourselves complain, we can declare war on pride by speaking truth to ourselves from the day's beginning.

- Begin Your Day Expressing Gratitude to God

It is impossible for someone who is thankful to be proud, just as it is impossible for someone who is unthankful to be humble. God continually shows us of his presence, and we should praise him for that. "Let each of us recognize every day that whatever grace we receive from God is so much more than we're worthy of, and indescribably better than the hell we all deserve" (71).

- Practice the Spiritual Disciplines

This means praying, studying God's Word, worship, etc. "If we're properly motivated, this will be a daily demonstration and declaration of our dependence on God and our need for Him" (72). A book that Mahaney recommends is Donald S. Whitney's Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life.

- Seize Your Commute

If we use our commute or other unused moments of our day to meditate and memorize scripture, instead of listening to ourselves complain we can preach to ourselves truth throughout the day.

- Cast Your Cares Upon Him

"When we humble ourselves each morning by casting all our cares on the Lord, we will start the day free of care. The humble are genuinely care free" (75). 1 Peter 5:6-7 actually says that this is the way we are to remain humble. If we do this throughout our day we will take advantage of the cares that are cast on us by the sovereign will of God to cultivate humility, and also avoid becoming more burdened as the day wares on.

6. As Each Day Ends

- Avoid Cosmic Plagiarism

"Every time I claim to be the 'author' in my life and ministry of that which is actually God's gift, I'm committing cosmic plagiarism" (81). We can't change lives, or even our own lives, only God can. We should end our days by quietly and humbly transferring the glory to God for every grace we received.

- Accept the Gift of Sleep

This limitation God has given us on the work day is a humbling reminder that we are dependent creatures. We are placing our

complete trust in God to protect us in this, because he is the only one that "will neither slumber nor sleep" (Psalm 121:4). Accept this beautiful gift and be humbled by the fact that we can't go without it. [Psalm 24:1]

7. For Special Focus

- Study the Attributes of God

It's humbling to realize how different we are from God. By studying incommunicable attributes of God we are reminded how are mind cannot wrap around God's magnitude. "The greatest and best man in the world must say, By the grace of God I am what I am, but God says absolutely... I am that I am" (89). Good resources on this are Grudem's Systematic Theology and Bible Doctrine. [Psalm 139:6]

- Study the Doctrines of Grace

The doctrines of election, calling, justification, and even perseverance are all incredibly humbling when we know that there is virtually no part we play in almost any of these processes. The very design of the Gospel is, "so that no human being might boast in the presence of God" (1 Corinthians 1:29). Saved by Grace by Anthony Hoekema is a good read on this.

- Study the Doctrine of Sin

We are often hardened to the effects of sin, and therefore are hardened to the amazingness of God's grace. However, the more we study the doctrine of sin the more we realize how wretched we truly are. Can't be proud, wretched, and sane at the same time. Books to read are Sin and Temptation by John Owen and The Enemy Within: Straight Talk About the Power and Defeat of Sin by Kris Lundegaard. [Hebrews 3:13]

- Two More

Play golf as much as possible, because it's an absolutely humiliating sport. Also, laugh often, and laugh often at yourself. "A poor and happy man laughs heartily because he gives no serious attention to his ego" (95). And anyway, there is never a lack of material at which to laugh when it comes to ourselves.

8. Identifying Evidences of Grace

Paul wrote to the Corinthians which were essentially a stunning example of what a church should not be (1 Cor. 11:17), but he started with saying that he gives thanks to God always for them (1 Cor. 1:4). We should be able to do this too instead of always seeing criticism. If we believe the concept of God's calling, we know that others are called just as much as we are, and if we have faith in God to complete the work in them that he started, it should be easy to see evidences of God's grace in people's lives and point them out. (To do this effectively, get acquainted with the Spirit's gifts: Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 & 12:28, Ephesians 4:11, 1 Peter 4:11) [Galatians 5:22-23, Philippians 1:6, Philippians 2:12-13, 1 Corinthians 1:8]

9. Encouraging Others

Our words have an incredible effect on those around us, and we are commanded to let no corrupting talk but only edifying words come out of our mouths (Ephesians 4:29). However, this doesn't mean always being nice. We should have appropriate words. "What do they need now? Is it counsel? Exhortation? Warning? Comfort? Forgiveness? All of the Above?" (115) (1 Thessalonians 5:14) We are also supposed to exhort (to urge, advise, or caution earnestly) every day. (Hebrews 3:12-13) People can't see their own sin, so we bless others when we exhort them humbly. Making sure we remember the gospel when we admonish one another, we are to be purposeful in our words with one another.

Essentially, our words tell us where our soul is. What are my words, and yours, telling others about the condition of our souls?

[Proverbs 18:21, Ephesians 4:25, 30-31, 5:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:14]

10. Inviting and Pursuing Correction

Similar to a business man waiting for a meeting who unbeknownst to him has cream cheese in his mustache, we also are completely blind to our own sin. When we look at our own condition it is as affective as looking into a carnival mirror. (Proverbs 12:15) Just being in church groups all the time isn't enough either, we have to actively invite correction. "On our own, you and I will never develop a competency for recognizing our own sin. We'll always need help" (133). Also, while others might not be completely accurate in their correction, there's truth to be gleaned at times even from an enemy's critique. [Hebrews 3:12-13, John 13:17, Galatians 5:17]

11. Responding Humbly to Trials

The question isn't whether we will suffer, it is when. When looking at Habakkuk, one can see the incredible transformation from chapters 1-3, and how he humbly responds to this suffering.

- God-Centered Prayer

Habakkuk isn't focusing as much on relief from suffering. He focuses on the sovereignty of God. He also focuses on his salvation, and not on his suffering (Habakkuk 3:18). We should also focus on the fact that we deserve our suffering and more, and the fact that he saved us is incredible as it is! Praying for relief from suffering is biblical, but it should never be the extent of our prayers. [1 Timothy 1:15, Matthew 20:28, Luke 19:10, Mark 2:17, John 10:10, John 16:28, John 12:46, John 18:37, Hebrews 10:7, 2 Corinthians 12:8]

- Waiting Quietly

Sometimes when our circumstances contradict what we know of God's character and promises, we get impatient and give God a timeframe. However, Habakkuk actively waited patiently for God to move in his own time (Habakkuk 3:16).

- Humbly Rejoicing

Habakkuk knows that God's wrath hasn't eased since the first chapter, but he still finds it p

ossible to rejoice in the Lord! "The source and object of his rejoicing is God Himself" (147). Because of who our God is, we can sing and rejoice in the midst of suffering.

In the end, our suffering is never as great is the wrath we deserve, and we have something to look back on that those in the Old Testament didn't: the Resurrection of Christ! [Hebrews 2:3]

12. A Legacy of Greatness

What is the thing we are encouraging our children to aspire to be? Sports heroes? Intellectuals? Businessmen? We should be encouraging our children to respect those who are truly great: the truly humble. To do this, we have to actually exemplify humility in our own lives, and also get them involved in serving together. [Matthew 20:21]

For those who don't have kids yet (like myself), I found this very helpful and challenging. "Your parents have served you unselfishly and continuously, and are therefore great in God's eyes. Are they great in your eyes?" (164) Your enthusiasm for your parents should far exceed your enthusiasm for anybody else.

A List of Suggestions:

Always:

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

As Each Day Begins:

2. Begin your day by acknowledging your dependence on God and your need for God.

3. Begin your day expressing gratefulness to God.

4. Practice the spiritual disciplines--prayer, study of God's Word, worship. Do this consistently each day and at the day's outset, if possible.

5. Seize your commute time to memorize and meditate on Scripture.

6. Cast your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.

As Each Day Ends:

7. At the end of each day, transfer the glory to God.

8. Before going to sleep, receive this gift of sleep from God and acknowledge His purpose for sleep.

For Special Focus:

9. Study the attributes of God.

10. Study the doctrines of grace.

11. Study the doctrine of sin.

12. Play golf as much as possible.

13. Laugh often, and laugh often at yourself.

Throughout Your Days and Weeks:

14. Identify evidences of graces in others.

15. Encourage and serve others each and every day.

16. Invite and pursue criticism.

17. Respond humbly to trials.

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1I was just wondering if this should be our motivation when we pursue humility. Shouldn't we want to be humble because we actually want God to get the glory, instead of just wanting God's blessing? I in no way am saying I have purer motives than Mr. Mahaney, but it's just a question I had. Any thoughts?

Questions and Reflections:

Let me start off by saying that while many people that might be reading this might be like "way to cheat, I know you've already read this book." Yes, it's true, this is actually my fourth time reading it. Mostly because I need this. What's even worse is that I get a sense of pride just saying that I struggle with pride. I'll admit that sometimes I see pride as the "holy man's struggle," because who would be proud if they didn't have something of which to be proud? Well here's someone: Jake Buob! I have to keep reminding myself that it's not like humility is me just trying to not be full of myself, it's me realizing what I TRULY AM! I'm NOT awesome, especially in comparison to Christ, so me thinking that I am is just nonsense.

Anyway, this book was and will continue to be extremely helpful, because Mahaney covers a lot of myths of humility and pride, one being that just admitting that one struggles with pride isn't the same as actually working on it.

It is also a blessing to read this book and then see him speak at Together for the Gospel. God's truly gifted him with an incredible gift of teaching and communication. I could see that he has a lot of knowledge and wisdom when it came to approaching scripture, but his humility was definitely always apparent. It's embarrassing to think that despite the incredible gap between my knowledge and his I still have more pride in mine than he does in his.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone. My notes certainly don't do the book justice. C.J. Mahaney does an incredible job using illustrations for deeper understanding of scriptural concepts, but he still bases his thoughts on scripture. This is pretty rare in a world where so many people default to using only illustrations and next to no scripture. It's a quick read (6 hours for me because I'm a slow reader), and it's one I will read over and over again.

Thanks for reading.

That's it.

Jake