PDF Summary:Gentle and Lowly, by Dane Ortlund

Many of us picture Jesus as distant and stern, quick to scold and slow to forgive. But in Gentle and Lowly, Dane Ortlund reintroduces us to the humble, compassionate Savior of the Bible. Drawing from Scripture and influential theologians, Ortlund demonstrates that Christ's defining characteristic is his tender heart: He delights in showing mercy to the undeserving, and finds deep joy in forgiving and restoring the broken.

Far from being an impatient judge, we see that Jesus reflects the boundless love of the Father, inviting all to approach Him without fear. This theologically-rich book remolds our view of Christ, allowing His gentle character to redefine our relationship with the Almighty.

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The Spirit influences the faithful by instilling a deep awareness of Christ's loving heart.

The gentle whispers of Christ's love, when fostered by the Spirit's influence, ignite a profound ardor within us. His affection for us becomes palpable, offering solace in moments of grief and despair, transcending simple acknowledgment. This demonstrates a true manifestation of the Spirit's impact, solidly based on biblical doctrine, as opposed to simple emotionalism or wishful thinking.

The Holy Spirit guarantees that Christ's love is made pertinent and influential in our everyday lives.

Ortlund emphasizes the Spirit's function in both unveiling the genuine essence of Christ's heart and in confirming His everlasting love for us. Through the Spirit, we are consoled and deeply reassured that, no matter how often we falter, the constancy of Christ's companionship with us is unwavering.

Believers are imbued by the Spirit with a deep-seated awareness of Christ's steadfast love.

The Spirit's work is steadfast in its commitment to elevate and celebrate the love exemplified by Christ. He unendingly provides solace, urging you to seek refuge in the unwavering love of Jesus. Envision a friend whose constant companionship softly signals the deepest affection they have for you. He genuinely cherishes you, embracing both your imperfections and your disarray, just as you exist.

The transformative actions of the Spirit bring to life our comprehension of Christ's compassionate essence.

The Spirit not only imparts a deep comprehension of Christ's compassionate essence but also transforms this knowledge into a palpable encounter. Through the Spirit, our understanding of Jesus' love evolves from mere knowledge to a potent force that instills in us a deep-seated confidence in His gentle mercy.

The Son is the recipient of the Father's gentle affection.

Ortlund successfully challenges the mistaken belief that the Father lacks the Son's close compassion and merciful nature. The Father likewise harbors profound empathy, mirroring a concern for sinners that is as gentle as the compassion of Jesus.

The Father's core is similarly marked by mercy, grace, and compassion, mirroring the Son's attributes.

The author emphasizes the harmonious relationship of the Father and the Son, demonstrating that they are not representatives of opposing concepts such as condemnation and compassion. They possess a profound affection for individuals who err.

The Father is frequently depicted as embodying unwavering and abundant love.

In his book, Ortlund emphasizes that the apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 1:3, demonstrates a profound understanding of the divine character by describing God as a Father of compassion. This unveils the essential character of the Divine: an unbounded wellspring of compassion and tenderness, akin to a Parent who delights in lavishing their children with ceaseless affection. Ortlund describes the intrinsic nature of God as one of deep compassion and forgiveness, a quality aptly summarized by the phrase "Source of all consolation." His nature inherently embodies compassion; it is not merely a trait he extends reluctantly. The merciful nature of God inherently mirrors the essence and character of the Father.

The Father is naturally predisposed to offer compassion and pardon instead of exhibiting wrath.

Ortlund, influenced by Puritan thought, promotes the understanding that God's intrinsic nature is to extend mercy rather than to dispense punishment. The Scriptures unequivocally convey that, while His nature is undeniably one of justice and righteousness, His most profound tendency is to extend forgiveness and restoration, to uphold His children in their weaknesses, and to lead them into the solace of His tender compassion. His steadfast patience is demonstrated through the consistent and generous love proclaimed in the biblical passage of Exodus 34:6-7. The section emphasizes the emphasis on divine compassion over judgment.

Both the Father and the Son are united in their deep affection for sinners.

Ortlund emphasizes the flawless harmony between the Father's heart and that of the Son. They consistently exhibit compassion towards those who err and individuals facing difficulties. The tenderness and compassion of the Father are equal to that of Jesus.

The Divine and His Holy Son formed an everlasting covenant to rescue a collective of individuals marred by transgression.

The book explores the divine agreement, perfectly orchestrated between the Father and the Son, with the purpose of saving humanity, established before the world began. The compassionate disposition of the Father always aligned with that of the Son; both inherently embody benevolence.

The Son's compassionate demeanor towards sinners mirrors the Father's own attitude.

Dane Ortlund emphasizes that Jesus flawlessly reflects the essence and characteristics as the personification of the God whom we cannot see. Grasping the gentle and caring nature of Jesus offers a transparent view into the core of the Father's character. John 16:27 unequivocally affirms the deep love that the Father has for you. Ortlund, influenced by Puritan theologian John Flavel, emphasizes that the care and attention we receive from our divine Parent is far superior to what we can provide for ourselves.

The difference in nature between the divine heart and the human heart is considerable.

In this section, Ortlund explores the natural tendencies of people, highlighting our obliviousness to the freely bestowed divine grace and our persistent attempts to earn His favor by means of personal accomplishments.

People often tend to form a connection that is based on adherence to spiritual regulations and personal conduct.

Ortlund describes the human predicament as one burdened by an inherent belief that adherence to moral standards and personal righteousness are what garner favor from the divine. This disposition, he clarifies, goes deeper than just external actions to profoundly shape our inner desires, ambitions, and interactions with others.

We often attempt to gain divine approval through adherence to self-imposed ethical standards and the execution of obligatory deeds.

Ortlund likens this to a twelve-year-old boy who, despite living in a loving home, seeks to validate his place in the family by fabricating a birth certificate, diligently tidying up the kitchen, and carefully mimicking his parents' behaviors. We frequently grapple with the feeling of belonging in God's family, a privilege graciously granted to us by the sacrificial death and subsequent rising of Christ.

Grasping and embracing the freely given kindness and goodwill of God can at times prove to be difficult.

Our inclination to adhere to rigid legalistic perspectives can veil the truth that God bestows His affection without requiring it to be merited by our deeds, and His mercy is greater than our deepest transgressions. Ortlund underscores the importance of ingraining grace into our fundamental convictions, which results in a shift from strict legalism to a steadfast trust in the abundant benevolence of God. The gospel frees us from the relentless need to prove our value, encouraging us to seek comfort in the finished works of Christ, marked by His enduring and unwavering affection for us.

The divine operates in ways that are vastly superior and beyond our comprehension.

Ortlund, by referencing Isaiah 55:8-9, unveils that our efforts to comprehend the core of God's heart are inadequate, as it transcends our limited human viewpoint.

God's nature, at its heart, is more compassionate than we typically assume.

We frequently err by projecting our limited understanding of affection onto God, assuming that He, like us, is quick to condemn and hesitant to forgive. The Scriptures confront our established ideas by depicting a divine being whose kindness and empathy exceed our expectations, delighting in dispensing love to the undeserving.

The divine essence finds joy in granting clemency and pardon to those who have not earned it, in ways that are beyond our comprehension.

The author encourages us to embrace the deep truth that God's heart is infinitely compassionate, tender, and merciful, in ways that surpass our understanding. He joyfully grants forgiveness in abundance, a sentiment echoed by the words found in the book of Isaiah, chapter 55, verse 7. Ortlund explores the deep truth that God is naturally drawn to those who are broken, wretched, and undeserving, lavishing His infinite grace upon them, frequently when they least expect it.

The divine's kindness is characterized by an unending sense of joy and satisfaction.

The divine plan culminates in highlighting and taking joy in the limitless mercy and benevolence granted to His followers as history culminates.

The universe was fashioned to act as a channel through which the Son could manifest His profound empathy and benevolence.

Dane Ortlund, drawing from the insights of Jonathan Edwards, unveils the profound truth that the world's creation was less about human benefit and more about showcasing the vastness of love that is projected from the heart of God's Son. Creation provided the backdrop for Christ to showcase His deep humility, infinite love, and abundant grace, thereby unveiling the grandeur and brilliance of His character in a way that forever glorifies God.

The Son's heart was propelled by an intense desire to unleash its limitless compassion.

Ortlund portrays Christ as having an endless desire to lavish His love and kindness upon those He has chosen. His compassion was akin to an endless river, poised to overflow and flood the surroundings with boundless kindness.

Throughout history, numerous acts of benevolence have demonstrated the infinite richness of His grace.

Ortlund emphasizes that the sequence of human occurrences, climaxing with humanity's fall into wrongdoing, is the God-ordained avenue through which the Son reveals His profound empathy. The embodiment, sacrifice, and resurrection of Christ fully revealed God's merciful nature to the world.

The unending happiness of the redeemed will be derived from observing and taking pleasure in Christ's benevolence.

Ortlund inspires contemplation on the perpetual state of believers, marked by unending joy that honors the boundless kindness and gracious nature of God. Throughout eternity, our joy will be magnified by the realization that our unworthiness has served to heighten the exhibition of His tender mercy.

In the restored cosmos, our focus will be on celebrating and deeply engaging with the boundless love that God offers.

The author draws a parallel between the bond Christ shares with the redeemed and the holy matrimony of marriage, referencing the imagery found in the final book of the New Testament, where believers are likened to a bride meticulously adorned for her husband. In this eternal celebration of unity, the limitless empathy of the Divine will be displayed, not merely as a contractual accord but as an enthusiastic and jubilant communion between the Devoted and the beloved.

As our recognition of personal failings deepens, so too does our amazement at the boundless compassion of God.

The writer suggests that the shame we currently feel due to our shortcomings will ultimately enhance our future experiences of joy and amazement. Exploring the depths of divine compassion and generosity enhances our awareness of the stark contrast between His boundless benevolence and our natural inclinations, leading to an unending stream of adoration and awe.