Questions and Answers about Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on Walking in Light

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones teach about how Christians should live in a pagan world?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that Christians are not meant to isolate themselves from the world but to live in it while maintaining their distinctiveness. He explicitly rejects monasticism, stating, "That's not in the New Testament. That's a false view of Christianity, a false asceticism which... robs the gospel of one of its greatest victories, which is this, that it enables us in the same world in which we lived before to live a new kind of life." He emphasizes that Christians are to be "the light of the world" and "the salt of the earth," remaining in society because it is through their life, conduct, and words that non-Christians have hope of conversion.

What are the three ways Christians should relate to darkness according to Ephesians 5?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones' exposition of Ephesians 5:7-14, Christians should: 1. "Be not partakers with them" - Christians must not participate in sinful activities at all 2. "Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness" - Christians must not show even the slightest interest in these things or enjoy conversations about them 3. "Rather reprove them" - Christians must positively expose these works of darkness through the light of the gospel, not merely condemning but convincing through evidence and enlightenment

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones differentiate between "not being partakers" and "having no fellowship"?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that "not being partakers" (Ephesians 5:7) means not joining with non-Christians in the practice of sinful activities. But "having no fellowship" (Ephesians 5:11) goes further - it means not even showing the slightest interest in these things. He states: "It is one thing not to do these things. It's a very different thing not to be interested in them." Christians should not enjoy conversations about sinful activities, shouldn't find jokes about them amusing, and shouldn't pretend to take a "sociological interest" in them as a cover for mental enjoyment. We should "finish with them not only in actual practice... but also even in [our] whole outlook."

What does it mean to "reprove" the unfruitful works of darkness according to the sermon?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones clarifies that to "reprove" does not simply mean to reprimand, condemn, or denounce in a negative way. That would be a Pharisaical approach. Instead, reproving means "to convince by means of evidence" and "to convict by means of giving enlightenment and understanding." It means throwing "the whole light of the gospel" upon the situation, helping the person see their relationship to God rather than merely condemning specific behaviors. He explains: "You don't address the people about these particular things alone... What you do is in a loving and sympathetic and understanding manner... talk to them about themselves and their souls and their whole relationship to God."

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones use the example of Jesus with publicans and sinners?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones uses Jesus' example with publicans and sinners to illustrate the proper Christian attitude toward those living in darkness. He points out that Jesus was called "a friend of publicans and sinners" - He sat with them, ate with them, and mixed with them, yet "he did it in such a way that he had no fellowship whatsoever with the unfruitful works of darkness." There was something about Jesus that prohibited sinful talk in His presence. Unlike the Pharisees who rejected sinners, Jesus attracted them: "when they saw the incarnate God walking before them, they drew near unto him." Lloyd-Jones explains that this shows how "holiness ought to be attractive... loving... enticing... charming. It ought to draw people."

What does the sermon teach about Christian engagement with non-believers?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that Christians should maintain relationships with non-believers for "the good of their souls and for their salvation," while having no fellowship with their sinful behaviors. He cites 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 to show that Paul wasn't telling Christians to cut off all communication with non-Christians who sin, as that would require going "out of the world." Christians should show through their conduct that they have no interest in sinful things but remain interested in non-believers as people. He warns against the Pharisaical attitude of self-righteousness and explains that Christians should instead attract others by displaying the joy of their salvation, showing "this is the life of enjoyment, this is the life of happiness, this is the life of peace."

What example does Dr. Lloyd-Jones give about improperly "reproving" someone?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones shares a personal story about driving with a man who had "come under the influence of the gospel." After a service, when they were having tea, the man lit a cigarette, and a lady at the table criticized smoking as "a dirty habit," pointing out the color of his fingers, the damage to his health, and the waste of money. Lloyd-Jones considered this an improper form of reproving that made the man feel "completely overwhelmed." Lloyd-Jones then "reproved the lady" by asking how much she paid for her expensive dress, making the point that her approach was hypocritical and merely condemnatory rather than genuinely concerned with the man's spiritual welfare.

How should Christians respond when non-believers try to provoke them?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones acknowledges that non-believers "sometimes quite deliberately try to annoy you. They'll do things to shock you. They'll do everything they can to make you denounce them." His advice is clear: "Resist the temptation. Don't let them do that. Never be merely negative and denunciatory, but rebuke by showing something of the light, of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." Christians should "radiate upon them the light of the gospel," remembering that "in your light they will see themselves and what they're doing as they've never seen it before."

What is the relationship between light and darkness in the Christian life according to the sermon?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that before conversion, we "were sometimes darkness" - not merely in darkness, but darkness itself. After conversion, Christians become "light in the Lord" - not just in the light, but light itself. The power of light is that it exposes and reveals: "When anything is exposed and reproved by the light, it is made visible and clear." Christians are to function as light in the world, exposing darkness not through condemnation but by contrast. As Lloyd-Jones explains, "you just make them begin to feel that they're missing something tremendous." The holiness of believers should function like Christ's holiness - making sinful practices visible while simultaneously presenting an attractive alternative.