“The Deep Things of God,” by Norman Grubb, Zerubbabel Press, Blowing Rock, NC, 128 pages.

Bottom line up front – Norman Grubb is among the most important writers of the 20th century when it comes to the life of Christ in us. He understood the implications of our salvation, sanctification, indwelling, living by faith alone, and obedience unto holiness. He lived it as a missionary in Africa under C.T. Studd and as a missionary statesman. And he wrote about it succinctly and clearly, delving into the deep things of our God and bringing them out with clarity and deep understanding.

I have read many writers but few who could measure up to the God-given ability to explain the rarely-mentioned truths of our God and His restoration of us into His divine life that was found in Norman Grubb.

Read. This. Man.

This book, the 2012 edition and the most readable, is the eighth book in the progression of Grubb’s explanation of the Gospel of the Kingdom. The eight books are not sequential, for each was a complete explanation of what he knew at the time of writing. Growth is the evidence of life, and Grubb explained that he never stopped growing into the divine life of God in him. Therefore, each book fills in the further revelations of the Holy Spirit as Grubb grew further into the divine life.

In this volume, Norman Grubb has surely grown deep. This book was at once one I could not put down, and one that I had to put down so I could ponder, pray, and process in my spirit what he was revealing. The chapters are not long, but are dense-packed with truths and revelations. The “Ah-ha!” moments were many.

Here is a paragraph from chapter six, “What Really Happens at Regeneration?”

“Salvation is only salvation when it is God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – returning to live in the personality created for Him, but exiled from Him through the fall. This is the inner reality of such parables as the prodigal returning to his father. Therefore, salvation is only salvation to any individual believer when the Spirit has given the inner witness of the presence of the Indwelling Christ. It is certainly true that a new born babe in Christ might not be able to interpret his new living experience in these exact terms; but it must be true that he has not merely an external faith in a Christ crucified 2000 years ago, but also, as the inevitable result of the heavenly gift of repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. The inner revelation of “Christ in me,” my Saviour, my Lord, is evidenced by an inner witness that is both incomprehensible to the world and indescribable. That is the sole and only purpose of the atonement, and the inevitable effect of true repentance and faith, which no man nor devil and prevent.”

I say again. Read. This. Man. This book is a fine place to start. This was the first of his books I read, and though it is the eighth book reporting on his growing knowledge of our God, the earlier books were found to be just as helpful and rich when I read them.