How Does God Change Us? by Dane Ortlund is a condensed version of his prior work, Deeper, Real Change for Real Sinners. I actually read Deeper a year ago and when I picked this current book up off the book table at church, I didn't realize at the time that it was a condensed version. I truly enjoy the writing of Dane Ortlund and knew it would be a good read. I'm so glad that I did. My copy is now highlighted in different colors of markers and underlined in ink. It's a rich book, even though it is less than 100 pages.
The book is divided into nine chapters that are about five pages long each. The one thing that the author stresses from the beginning is that this is NOT a SELF-HELP book with nine easy steps to going deeper in your relationship with Christ.
I think one reason the book spoke to me so deeply is because I was a part of a church for 20+ years that was rather legalistic. It focused more on the outward than the inward when it came to our walk with the Lord.
In the chapter titled "Union", on page 33 we find these words, "Your salvation in the gospel is far deeper, far more wondrous, than walking an isle or praying a prayer or raising a hand, or going forward at an evangelistic rally. Your salvation is to be united to the living Christ Himself." Please understand that I am not standing in judgement of people who come to Christ by the above mentioned ways, because there are some people who have been truly converted by one of those means. But what I am saying is that when I was in this legalistic church, I saw many people supposedly come to Christ who didn't darken the doors of the church again because there was no true conversion at the time of their "profession of faith".
In the chapter "Embrace" the author speaks of how with true conversion there is this embracing of us by Christ.
One thing that was so hard for me to wrap my mind around when circumstances brought about a move to a different part of the state and a different church, was the fact that the "performance based" way of Christianity that I had been sitting under for so many years wasn't what walking with the Lord was all about. Page 45 of this chapter on "Embrace" speaks perfectly of this subject... "The wrap around category of your life is not your performance, but God's love."
Along those same lines in the chapter titled "Supernaturalize", page 82 is this quote, "Authentic Christianity is not simply doing mechanically what God says, but enjoying God."
I have copied down so many quotes that I could share...and you may see them from time to time, but for now, I would like to close this review with a quote by John Newton.
"Looking unto Jesus is the object that melts the soul into love and gratitude."
You may have already guessed this, but I highly recommend this short read...as well as the longer version Deeper...Real Change for Real Sinners.
It sounds like a very thought provoking book. I've never read anything by this author. I have to add it to my list which is getting too long! :)
ReplyDeleteI truly enjoy this author. You would also really enjoy Gentle and Lowly by this same author. It's a very encouraging work.
DeleteI did read Gentle and Lowly recently, but didn’t know about this book. Thanks for the post about it.
ReplyDeleteGentle and Lowly is one of my very favorite reads. It was such an encouragement to me during a time of discouragement. This condensed version of Deeper is really good...the original book is even better! :)
DeleteI've heard his name but I don't think I've read anything of his. I'll have to look him up. Enjoyed your post.
ReplyDeleteYou have probably heard Dane Ortlund's name from me. ~wink~ I'm glad you enjoyed the post. Thank you for your kind words.
DeleteI've heard about the Gentle and Lowly book as one of God's embrace of sinners and suferrers.
ReplyDeleteI found it to be a very good read, Duta.
DeleteI wonder why he made a condensed version. The temptation is to just get that one and get the "meat." :) Though I'm sure the other is meaty, too. I enjoyed the quotes you shared. I've only read Gentle and Lowly from him and really liked it.
ReplyDeleteBarbara, I obtained this copy through our church. Union press was having a huge sale back before the holidays and our pastor ordered a lot of books from them. He didn't realize at the time that this was the condensed version. Anyway, if you are interested in the condensed version I would say to seriously consider the original version. While this one is meaty, the original is full of even more meat.
DeleteI love that kind of book, the kind where every page has passages worth underlining and whole paragraphs you want to memorize 💗
ReplyDeleteMe, too, my friend. Me too.
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