March 1962

“If God is for us, who can be against us?” Paul starts a new subsection in his letter to the Romans by claiming this promise. In this sermon on Romans 8:31 titled “God is for Us,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones unpacks this promise showing how Christians can truly rest in this absolute truth. There is not a matter of “if” or “but;” it is absolute certainty that the Lord is on the side of His children. By opening this new subsection, Paul is about to answer potential questions that may arise from his previous teaching. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones outlines several questions that Paul is going to answer before they cause dissention among the Romans. Paul brings this great doctrine in the scheme of ordinary, everyday lives. This one verse is once again proving Paul’s point that Christians have been saved and their salvation is secure in Jesus Christ. Because of that union with Christ, they have the Holy Spirit working in them and helping them toward future glory. This affirms that the Lord is in fact for the believer so there is no other power, circumstance, or person that could ever truly overcome them. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains this in great detail and tells Christians to rest assured in this great promise.

In the Christian life, one must fight a daily battle against the accusations of the devil. How then do they fight against these accusations and respond by living in the truth of the Bible? When Satan tries to distract and condemn them with their imperfections, failures, and unworthiness, how do they respond in a way that keeps their focus on God and not themselves? In this sermon on Ephesians 6:14 titled “Putting on the Breastplate,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains how the breastplate of righteousness protects the Christian from these accusations by reminding them of who they are in Christ Jesus. When the devil whispers to the Christian that they are not worthy enough to pray or enter into the presence of a holy God, the breastplate of righteousness reminds them that they have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus through faith. When Satan points to the failures and mistakes of one’s past, making forgiveness feel impossible, the breastplate of righteousness reminds them that they have been forgiven of their sins and God’s holy righteousness covers them. The devil tries to put the Christian in a state of condemnation, while the breastplate of righteousness keeps them from guilt and shame by showing that they are a new creation in Christ Jesus the Lord.

What makes a Christian? If one listens to what God has to say in His Word, they will see that it is not a result of anything that humanity does or can do. Christians are those that are born again through the power of the Holy Spirit. Just as no one contributes to their natural birth, neither do they contribute anything to their supernatural birth. This affects a profound change in those that are born again; it wholly reorients their life, desires, and wills. Christians now desire to live a life that is marked by obedience to God and love of fellow people. Salvation, then, is a result of God’s grace apart from anything one can do. This sermon tells of the only hope in this life: the gospel. There is nothing that anyone can do to save themselves, but God has acted in His grace to redeem sinners and bring them to a true knowledge of Him. In this sermon on 1 Peter 2:2 titled “A New Birth,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones proclaims the only true and lasting message of hope in this world, the gospel of Jesus Christ.

In this sermon on Romans 8:28–30 titled “Eternally Secure (2),” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones continues to press the issue of the final perseverance of the saints by examining the flaws exegetically and theologically. He even questions, what if his opponents are correct? What if a regenerated, born-again Christian finally did go to perdition and fell away from their position “in Christ”? Are there any negative implications for this apostasy position? Dr. Lloyd-Jones carefully and consistently works out the meaning of his opponent's position with regards to the ultimate purpose of salvation itself. While Dr. Lloyd-Jones’s opponents would rightly affirm that salvation is about forgiveness of sin and they can now go to heaven, he suggests that is not the ultimate purpose of salvation. The main purpose of salvation is the glory of God, the vindication of His glory, and the sovereignty of the character of God. This ultimate purpose, says Dr. Lloyd-Jones, changes everything, namely the assurance of the outcome of God’s glory. Moreover, there are opportunities for pride as those who deny the final perseverance of the saints are forced to deny that it is ultimately God who causes endurance until the end, and instead must affirm that there is some quality inside those who are received into glory that is different from those who fall away. There is great comfort in knowing that the God who began the believer’s salvation will truly see it completed to the end. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones encourages believers in the great truth of eternal security.

What do Christians do when they face spiritual depression, and their feelings and emotions forsake them? How do they react when they are unsure in their Christianity and are filled with doubts and questions? The answer to these questions are in Ephesians 6:14, where the Christian is told to put on the breastplate of righteousness. How exactly does this breastplate of righteousness help when Christians go through times like these? In this sermon on Ephesians 6:14 titled “Righteousness of God by Faith,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones speaks on the importance of putting on the breastplate of righteousness and how it protects the Christian from the lies of the devil. Rather than relying on feelings and works to feel secure in one’s salvation, the breastplate of righteousness reminds the Christian that it is the righteousness of Christ through faith that saves them. When a Christian is unsure and full of doubts during the dry seasons of life, they can lean upon the righteousness of God for strength as they wait on and rest in Him. As believers, it is essential to put on the breastplate of righteousness because it will carry the Christian through any forsaken feelings, questions, or doubts they have and keep them safe.

People are not highly-developed animals. Neither are they enlightened products of evolution. In this sermon on 1 Peter 2:9–10 titled “What is Man?” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains how God made humanity. In the Bible, humanity is made in the image of God, naturally upright. Yet they chose to sin, and are now condemned as a slave to sin and immorality. This is why the world is filled with so much wickedness; this is why there is war and suffering. It all goes back to the sinful nature of humankind. What hope is there for sinful humanity? The answer is found in God’s free gift of salvation. God sent His Son to die in the place of sinners, for all those that believe in Jesus Christ. God sent Jesus into the world because He loved the world, not because of anything in it. The gospel calls all to forsake their sinful ways and flee from darkness. For it is only the gospel that gives people truth concerning themselves, the world, and God. God commands all to flee from themselves and come to the light of Jesus Christ.

What does the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints have to do with identity as the body of Christ? Very much, says Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, in his sermon on Romans 8:28–30 titled “Eternity Secure (1).” One must be careful to remember that Christ did not come to just save isolated individuals but instead came to redeem His people, the church. The spiritual union between the church and Christ is modeled after the essential union between the Father and the Son. So, says Dr. Lloyd-Jones, it is absurd to think Christ’s love for His church can be frustrated somehow as if the Father’s love for the Son could be disrupted. Part of the assurance is based on the glorious truth that Christians are those the Father has given to His Son. It is impossible to imagine separation or falling away if one remembers that Christ died for the church in order to redeem it, perfect it, and present her to God the Father. Moreover, argues Dr. Lloyd-Jones, is the fact that perseverance is guaranteed based upon the teaching of chastisement. God refuses to leave His children alone. He will be faithful to discipline in order to conform His children more and more to the image of His Son. In the end, they are secure in Christ. Praise should erupt to the God who calls, keeps, preserves and will never forsake.

A breastplate was one of the most important pieces of armor worn by soldiers because it protected their vital organs in battle. As such, when Paul tells the Christian to put on the breastplate of righteousness, he is urging them to protect their vital parts of the heart and mind from the fiery darts of the devil. But how does one protect their heart and mind by putting on the breastplate of righteousness? In this sermon on Ephesians 6:14 titled “The Breastplate of Righteousness,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains the meaning behind this passage. He begins by stating that one’s own righteousness alone is not enough to be victorious in battle, but rather the only righteousness that can protect is that of God. He then explains the two aspects of God extending his righteousness: imputed and imparted righteousness. Imputed righteousness is the righteousness the Christian receives from God through their faith in Him. But it does not stop there. Imparted righteousness is what makes God’s righteousness a part of who they are as they become a new creation in Him. God imputes and imparts His perfect righteousness to His people so that they can be protected and stand firm in the day of battle.

Why does the Apostle Peter tell us that Christ is a stumbling block? This is may seem like an odd statement, but in this sermon on 1 Peter 2:6–8, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains why it is important to understand. He says that Christ is a stumbling block because those that are said to be wise and powerful stumble over His message. The Pharisees who were said to be the righteous were shown to be hypocrites when Christ came. Those who trust in their own works stumble when they are told that nothing they can do will ever save them. Christ crushes our pride and self-trust in order that we might trust in Him alone. It is no different today than it was in the days of Jesus. Fallen people trust in their own wisdom, but Christ shows the wisdom of this world to be foolish and vain. It is only by trusting in Christ, the stone that the builders rejected, that anyone can be saved and made right with God.

By denying the doctrine of the final perseverance of the saints, there will be inevitable negative implications for everything else that is true about Christian salvation. Perhaps even more problematic, says Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones in his sermon on Romans 8:28–30 titled “The Unbreakable Chain,” is the confusion and chaos that is introduced about God by those affirming the apostasy of genuine believers. He examines the harmony of each link in the apostle Paul’s unbreakable chain, noting how each inevitably hangs together. By considering the negative implications for the doctrine of predestination and foreknowledge, Dr. Lloyd-Jones demonstrates the absurd conclusions that must be affirmed about God when one holds to the possibility of a true believer falling from grace. Continuing through the chain of redemption, he argues that those who affirm the apostasy position make God’s “call” pointless and the doctrine of justification an error-filled action on God’s part. However, the doctrine of rebirth and union with Christ should settle the matter altogether, says Dr. Lloyd-Jones. It is scandalous to suggest that God’s creative work in giving new life and His seating of His people in the heavenly places with Christ can be suddenly undone. Listen to Dr. Lloyd-Jones’s argument for an unbreakable chain in salvation and find encouragement in the blessed doctrine of assurance from beginning to end.

What is truth? In a world where truth is twisted into what people want it to be, how does one know what is really true versus what is distorted to fit certain views? Knowing the truth of God’s word is essential. This is why when Paul speaks to Christians about the armor of God, he urges believers to gird themselves with truth. In this sermon on the belt of truth from Ephesians 6:14 titled “Girded With Truth,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones speaks on what it looks like to gird oneself with the truth of God’s word. He explains how truth is not something one should hold onto lightly, but is something that must be sought after and fought for. The Christian must diligently search for truth no matter the cost and never let it go once it has been found. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains how Christians need to intentionally search the Holy Scriptures for the truth to build their lives upon, not just read through the way one would a newspaper. But most importantly, he emphasizes the fact that they must never compromise the truth no matter the cost, but instead must fight for it, because without girding oneself with the truth, the Christian cannot stand in the day of battle.

What is the cause of all the suffering and evil seen in this world? In this sermon on 1 Peter 2:4–6 titled “The Living Stone,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones show how the sin and rebellion of humanity is to blame. This is seen in the first chapter of Genesis as well as the whole narrative of Scripture. God has sent Jesus Christ His Son to redeem fallen sinful people. He is the cornerstone and foundation of faith and ever lives to make intercession for His people. He did this by joining humanity and deity in the person of Jesus Christ, living a sinless life, dying a sinner’s death on the cross, and was resurrected to life. This is why He is the great High Priest who ever lives to make intercession for His people before the almighty Father in Heaven. Christ, as suffering servant and risen messianic king, stands at the center of the Christian faith, not anyone’s works or the deeds of the church. The rise of Christless-Christianity is a testament to the danger of separating the church from the founder and perfecter of the faith. The whole of Christianity is found in the completed work of Christ Jesus who, as the true and better Adam, has redeemed His people from all sin and made them children of God.

Can Christians lose their salvation? This is a much-debated question in Christianity that has immense significance for all believers. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says that while some passages seem to teach that Christians can lose their salvation, this is a misunderstanding. In this sermon on Romans 8:28–30 titled “The Threefold Purpose,” he looks at the warning passages in Hebrews 6 and 10. He argues that these passages do not speak of true Christians falling away but it speaks of those unbelievers who hear the gospel and are in the church, yet reject it. Just as many people in the Bible, such as Judas, are part of the visible church (and even in places of authority), they are shown to not be truly saved. So it is true in all the church. The Bible never speaks of true believers falling away. These are lost men and women who show temporary signs of profession yet fall away. These passages ought to encourage true believers to seek to live a life that testifies to Christ’s power of salvation. Can true Christians fall away from Christ? The Bible’s answer is no since Christ is the perfect Savior who is able to redeem sinners and bring their salvation to completion. As the Savior promised, no one can snatch a child of His from His hand.