Questions About Assurance of Salvation and Faith According to Martyn Lloyd-Jones

What is the ultimate end and object of salvation according to Martyn Lloyd-Jones?

According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, the ultimate end and object of salvation is not merely that we should be forgiven, but that we should be made the children of God. As he states in the sermon, "The end and object of salvation is not merely that we should be forgiven, but that we should be made the children of God. That is what all who believe in Christ are destined unto." This is why Christ came, lived, died, and rose again.

How does Lloyd-Jones define the difference between true and false worship?

Lloyd-Jones defines the difference between true and false worship through the contrast of Abel and Cain. True worship (Abel) is characterized by: submission to God's revelation rather than one's own ideas; worship from the heart rather than formal, external acts; and an understanding of one's sinfulness and need for a blood sacrifice. False worship (Cain) is characterized by: following one's own reason and understanding rather than divine instruction; formal, external acts without heart engagement; and self-righteousness that brings one's own works rather than acknowledging the need for blood atonement.

What does Lloyd-Jones mean by "assurance of salvation"?

By "assurance of salvation," Lloyd-Jones means the confident knowledge that one is truly a child of God. He describes it as "God testifying" or bearing witness to a person that they are righteous and accepted. He explains that "the Christian is meant to know that he is a child of God. He is meant to rejoice in the knowledge. He is meant to be a happy men, a blessed men in the true sense of the word." It's not merely hoping to be saved but knowing with certainty that one is saved.

What are the three main types of assurance that Lloyd-Jones identifies?

Lloyd-Jones identifies three main types of assurance: 1. Deduction from the scriptures' plain statements (e.g., "he that believeth is not condemned") 2. Self-examination in terms of the biblical descriptions of Christian character 3. The testimony of the Holy Spirit with our spirits that we are children of God (which he describes as the "ultimate assurance")

How does Lloyd-Jones explain the example of Abel's faith?

Lloyd-Jones explains that Abel's faith involved complete submission to God's revelation about how to approach Him. Abel understood that sin required a blood sacrifice, so he offered an animal sacrifice, recognizing his sinfulness and need for atonement. His faith was not in his own works or righteousness, but in God's prescribed way of salvation. Abel approached God with humility, acknowledging his sinfulness and complete dependence on God's mercy, offering what God had instructed rather than what he thought was best.

What does Lloyd-Jones say is the first essential element for having assurance of salvation?

According to Lloyd-Jones, the first essential element for having assurance of salvation is submission to God's revelation. He states, "The first secret of assurance is submission to God's revelation." This means completely accepting what the Bible teaches about God, sin, and salvation rather than trying to approach God based on one's own ideas or reasoning. Without this foundation of accepting God's word as authoritative, one cannot have true assurance.

How does persecution relate to true Christianity according to the sermon?

Lloyd-Jones teaches that persecution is actually evidence of true Christianity. He explains that throughout biblical history, the true believer (Abel) has often been persecuted by the false professor (Cain). He states, "If people tell you that you're taking your Christianity too seriously, you have very good evidence that you're a Christian." This persecution can come even from religious people and institutions: "It is the church that has persecuted the true Christian... It is the formal professor who has always hated the true professor and finally has persecuted him even unto death."

What are the contrasting outcomes for true and false worshippers according to Lloyd-Jones?

For false worshippers (like Cain), Lloyd-Jones says they may be temporarily satisfied with themselves but never receive true assurance from God. Eventually, God shows His displeasure with their false worship, leading to misery, anger, antagonism toward God, and ultimately rejection ("I never knew you"). For true worshippers (like Abel), God gives testimony that they are righteous and accepted. They receive "heart satisfaction," "genuine peace," and assurance that they are God's children. Though they may face persecution in this world, they have the unshakable knowledge of their relationship with God.

What does Lloyd-Jones teach about the role of Christ's blood in salvation?

Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that Christ's blood is absolutely essential for salvation. He repeatedly states that "without shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins." He explains that Abel's animal sacrifice pointed forward to Christ's sacrifice, and that "there is only one way into the presence of God. It is by the blood of Jesus." He teaches that true worship involves recognizing one's sinfulness and "relying solely upon the Lord Jesus Christ, and he is laying down his life upon the cross on Calvary's hill." This blood atonement is the only basis for our acceptance with God.

How does Lloyd-Jones explain what it means to have "faith" in this sermon?

Lloyd-Jones explains that faith is "response to the revelation." He states, "The men of faith are the men who have believed God. That's the secret of every one of them. Abel is the first. He believed the teaching and he acted upon it. That's faith." Faith is not merely intellectual belief but involves submission to God's revelation and acting accordingly. It means recognizing one's sinfulness, approaching God through the blood sacrifice He has prescribed, and trusting in God's way of salvation rather than one's own reasoning or works.