Michael Reeves, president and professor of Union School of Theology, wrote the preface for our book. Deeper is part of a series from Michael Reeves and Crossway books. Dane Ortlund, the author, is a senior pastor in a PCA church outside of Chicago and an editor for Crossway. He is the author of the popular book Gentle and Lowly. Though not a sequel, Deeper is a follow up about growing in Christ and how it happens. He says that growing deeper is the basic point of the book and references Puritan Henry Scougal from The Life of God in the Soul of Man.
…true religion is a union of the soul with God, a real participation
of the divine nature, the very image of God drawn upon the soul, or,
in the apostle’s phrase, “It is Christ formed within us.” Henry Scrougal
He also emphasizes that this is not about behavior modification, but real change for real sinners. We are encouraged not to hurry, be patient and reflect our way through the book.
The first chapter is about who the “real” Jesus is. He is talking to believers and why it is important that we know who Jesus is. He states he is a person with whom we have a relation. He uses scripture such as Eph. 3:8 and Rom 11:33 to point out Christ’s unsearchable riches. He goes on to point out seven “facets” of Christ that we may not have explored. Admitting there are more, he concentrates on these seven to dive deeper in learning about this savior with whom we are united.
- Ruling: Ortlund points out that Jesus is now ruling over the entire universe (Matt.28:18) (Phil. 2:10). Could we be lacking the wonder of this awesome truth?
- Saving: As sinners we are not just wounded, we are dead and need full scale deliverance.(Eph. 2:1-6) Do we really appreciate what Christ did to save us?
- Befriending: Jesus calls us his friends (John 15:15).We are part of his inner circle! We are embraced by his love in spite of our failures.
- Persevering: Our commitment to him will falter, his to us will not. We cannot sin our way out of his grip.
- Intercession: Not only did Jesus pray for us as those who would believe in him, he intercedes for us today. (Romans 8:34,John 17:9,20). He prays for us.
- Returning: Jesus left quietly, but he will return loudly. (1Thess. 4:16).
- Tender: Jesus is gentle and lowly, his words (Matt.11:29). In our sinfulness, he draws near to us. Does his tenderness mean something in this season of your life?
…we cannot sin our way out of the grip of Jesus (Deeper p30)
This book is about how we change, and how we continue changing our whole life. Through the bible and good books explaining it we can spend the rest of our lives learning about the unsearchable riches of this real Christ. Remember, Jesus is God in Human form!
Some quotes from the first lesson
“…..he came from heaven as the son of God to live the life we cannot live and die the death we deserve to die.” (p 21)
“He is the mighty sustainer of of the universe, to whose supreme rule we will bow to in either this life or the next.” (p 24) (Phil.2:10)
“Our side of the commitment will falter and stumble, but his never does.” (p28)
“……it is settled in our hearts that we cannot sin our way out of the grip of Jesus.” (p 30)
For next week, read chapters 2 and 3.