Gentle and Lowly

One of the most approachable systematic books I've ever read. It reminds me of the down-to-earth fatherly tone of C. S. Lewis' Mere Christianity. Short, easy to digest chapters. I have it for a college text but my wife bought it to read and she loves it too. Focusing on Jesus' statement that "I am gentle and lowly of heart," this book teaches about the heart of God as demonstrated in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Outstanding, I highly recommend this book for Christian readers of all levels.

For anyone struggling with assurance, sin, or grief, this is a liberating resource. This is a must read for Christians!! Dane is a master at writing in making complex ideas simple as well as provoking soul filling questions. This book has changed the way I have related with Christ. While the book engages the soul of the Christian, it is deeply theological using many of the writings from the reformers, puritans, and others in church history! Throughout this book there were times where I felt this is too good to be true yet, Dane backs everything with scripture as well as church history. This is a book I have read twice and always recommend friends and those around me to read!

Wow, what an amazing book dedicated to the heart of Jesus. I read this throughout the month of June and each time I picked it up, I grew in faith in the Lord. I was encouraged, reminded, comforted and sometimes convicted. Make sure you check out the YouTube Live Shows on Krista's Channel, BooksAndJams for more in depth discussions! I am so thankful to have joined some of the live show discussions with her and other lovely ladies this month. My channel name is BookLoverAmanda. This book dives deep into the heart of Christ and how he views us. He is gentle and lowly in heart. This book beautifully explains this in each chapter and provides some great historical background from the Puritans. What I was reminded of: • We often minimize our sin, we don’t have a good understanding of it because we have a sinful nature. God shows us His ultimate grace and Christ’s heart is drawn to us. Romans 5:20 “Where sin increased, Grace abounded all the more.” • Christ intercedes for us and he will never cast out. • He is an advocate for us. I resonated with this so much because my son has Autism and I have been struggling this past year and found myself sitting in my feelings many days. I can remember specifically one week where I had been so overwhelmed and not praying as I should. I cried out to the Lord one night, praying for my son to have good days at school and to help him grow in his speech and skills. The very next day, he had the best day he had in weeks and the chapter on Jesus being our advocate reminded me that just like I am advocating for my son in his struggles, with therapy and preschool, Jesus is advocating for me, my husband and my son all along the journey. • Jesus is our friend, he is near to us and we should draw near to him. • Jesus understands our feelings and has compassion for us. In our grief, he is grieved. He sees what we are going through and is not surprised by anything we are going through or feeling. • We don’t have to do anything (works) to earn his love. I love the comparison of the son trying to do everything to secure his place in the family when he doesn’t have to do anything special – the same for us in our relationship with Jesus. It’s settled and irreversible. • While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. He loves me in my mess – my crazy, busy, working mom life mess. I can’t be everything for everybody and that’s ok. This chapter reminded me that throughout my mess – he is always sustaining me and loving me and listening. Overall, this is a perfect book to help us understand Jesus and His heart for us.

I bought this book on the recommendation of my best friend. I am so grateful to have done so. It is a profound little book that is packed with glorious truths about the heart of Christ toward all who are His. It is a rare teaching, to say the least, as so many times these days there is much teaching that leans toward legalism and chastisement and warning; and rules; and on the other side of the aisle, there is a lot of teaching that is totally not Biblical (i.e. much of the Charismatic teachings that make God our Santa Clause). For one who grew up in a very abusive environment, and never feeling I will ever be good enough in many circles, the truths in this book have touched me more deeply than any other book I have ever read in my life, other than the Bible, itself. Dane Ortlund has a true gift of being able to make his point in ways that deeply touch the heart. This is a book I will read over and over. I have read it very slowly to be able to think about and absorb the truths more deeply. I pray that everyone who does not know the Jesus that Dane Ortlund speaks of in this book is able to get a copy of it and that it is as healing for them as it has been for me. It is one I want to stay on for some time. It is literally life-changing. I have come to a place of understanding there is absolutely nothing I can do about my sin, as I am born a sinful creature, and that will never change this side of eternity. That is not to say that God is not doing a major work of sanctification in my life that will continue till I see Him face to face. But it means that He has such incredible sympathy for us in our fallen condition. It is the most humbling book I have ever read. It has done far more in moving me to pursue holiness than all the teachings and warnings I have heard from the pulpit all the years of my Christian walk. It causes me to want more and more of Jesus and our Father, rather than driving a wedge of condemnation between me and Him.

This book has opened my heart to love Jesus and God the Father all the more. I understand His heart in a new and more enriching way. He loves me in ways I wouldn't have ever fathomed Great book!

Gentle and Lowly is a book full of compassion for Christians and seekers. It’s dense. It took me two months to read it: reading a few pages, thinking about them, reading a few pages, thinking about them… I enjoyed the book and came away feeling loved by God and wanting to draw nearer to Him despite anything I’ve done or am struggling with. HIghly recommended. Just read it slowly enough to take it all in.

While I believe that Ortlund’s love for God and desire to convey His love to us is abounding here, I felt like the text was highly unapproachable for the layperson. The structure is wordy and difficult in flow, albeit poetic. I don’t feel this is a book for the common person with average reading skills and a general idea of who God is and what He feels for us. It felt highly academic and brainy for a read to feel the gentleness and lowliness of Christ. This is better suited as a deep theological study with emphasis on puritan thoughts and writing.

I have no words for this book other than if you are a seeker of truth and you are a Christian or maybe looking to try and understand Christianity, look no further than this book.

I really enjoyed this book and it quickly becomes one of my favourite books to read on the love of God and his affections towards us, his children! Would highly recommend it if you want to press deeper into God's thoughts towards you

Reading this book has been a journey for me. There were times when I gasped at the wonder of Christ's loving heart, which I grossly misunderstood. Dave has written a book about his walk, not just another book full of head knowledge and something so unattainable. I could see my Pharisaical, legalistic heart exposed as I read, and tears of his humility flowed, cleansing my hardened heart. Thank you, Dave. You have created a book for generations.

This is surely the best book I’ve read about the heart of Jesus and of God. So eyes opening about what His heart is for us and this world. If you’re new to faith this will surely help you realize what is His love and plan for you.

I've gifted this several times and re-read it multiple times. Beautifully written.

PERFEITO.