Greatness...

The world aspires to greatness, to be someone, to stand out, to exercise power, or attain a position. John and James did it long ago and today little has changed. Why? Because greatness is a diamond to the lust of the eyes, and of the flesh and the pride of life.

I recently read a short book by C.J. Mahaney called Humility: True Greatness with some friends. The humble man is the great man to God. The humble man captures His special attention: "But to this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word" (Isa. 66:2). He loves to look on the humble man, to hear his accurate prayers, to see His trust in Him, to watch as he regards others more important than himself and thinks little of what he can do but thinks much of what God can do through him. We were considering Philippians 2:1-11 at a college Bible study during Wednesday lunch this week. It is shocking that we Christians would strive for greatness by any unbiblical means. First, since even this pursuit is doomed to failure ("I will not share My glory with another"). Second, because it is so empty and a proven deceit. Greatness is manifested by Jesus' life. And the Christian is told to strive toward His likeness. An understanding of Christ's great exaltation is only appreciated by an understanding that we will never fully achieve in our greatest earthly exaltation likeness to the One who took upon HImself the greatness humiliation the world has ever known.

So tomorrow (and tonight), admist all the pomp and circumstance of a graduation ceremony, I am prepared to think accurately about myself. There are many fools with letters after their names. With a humble mindset, the believer should remember some other letters after his name (even without a degreee). Maybe s-a-v-e-d, or c-h-o-s-e-n, or b-o-u-g-h-t, or m-a-d-e a-l-i-v-e.

No believer can be conceited when treasuring the gospel of his salvation.