I’m currently reading Dane Ortlund’s, Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers. I love it. It’s not terribly long–written in a clear and accessible style, full of vivid illustrations, and profoundly biblical.

He brings together pastoral care, careful exposition of the Bible, and an introduction to some of the best theological writers of the seventeenth century (e.g., John Owen, Thomas Goodwin, John Bunyan).

The result is a Christ-exalting, soul-nourishing work that is tremendously encouraging. Here’s a little sample where Ortlund is quoting John Bunyan as he riffs on John 6:37, “He who comes to me [Jesus] I will never cast out.” This verse takes away any possible objection a Christian (someone who has placed their faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins) might have to Christ’s grace.

Note: Bunyan is using the old language “no wise cast out” instead of our modern: “never cast out.” It means there is nothing that can make Christ cast out those who are His. Here’s the quote:

But I am a great sinner, say you.

“I will in no wise cast out,” says Christ.

But I am an old sinner, say you.

“I will in no wise cast out,” says Christ.

But I am a hard-hearted sinner, say you.

“I will in no wise cast out,” says Christ.

But I am a backsliding sinner, say you.

“I will in no wise cast out,” says Christ.

But I have served Satan all my days, say you.

“I will in no wise cast out,” says Christ.

But I have sinned against the light, say you.

“I will in no wise cast out,” says Christ.

But I have sinned against mercy, say you.

“I will in no wise cast out,” says Christ.

But I have no good thing to bring with me, say you.

“I will in no wise cast out,” says Christ.

This promise was provided to answer all objections, and does answer them.

If you’re a Christian, and you struggle accepting the ongoing grace of God on your behalf–if you feel constant guilt and shame–if you think God lives with a scowl on His face toward you–this book is for you.

Have you considered what is true of you if you are in Christ? In order for you to fall short of loving embrace into the heart of Christ both now and into eternity, Christ himself would have to be pulled down out of heaven and put back in the grave. His death and resurrection make it just for Christ never to cast out his own, no matter how often they fall.

“But I…”

Raise your objections. None can threaten these invincible words: “Whoever comes to me I will never cast out.” For those united to him, the heart of Jesus is not a rental; it is your new permanent residence. You are not a tenant; you are a child. His heart is not a ticking time bomb; his heart is the green pastures and still waters of endless reassurances of his presence and comfort, whatever our present spiritual accomplishments. It is who he is.

Dane Ortlund, Gentle and Lowly, 66.