Martyn Lloyd-Jones on Becoming Sons of God: Questions and Answers

What does Martyn Lloyd-Jones say is the most remarkable statement about humans in the Bible?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the most remarkable statement about humans in the Bible is found in John 1:12-13, which speaks of us becoming the sons or children of God. He states: "It is beyond any question the most remarkable and wonderful statement with respect to us which we can find anywhere in the Bible. The whole object of the coming of the son of God into this world was that we might be made the sons of God, or the children of God also. That is the most wonderful thing, I say, that is conceivable that we, the sinful sons of men, should be made and become the sons of God."

What primary test does Lloyd-Jones provide for determining if someone is a child of God?

Lloyd-Jones presents being "led by the Spirit of God" as the primary test for determining if someone is a child of God. He says: "There are many tests which we can consider and face under that heading. But there is none more important than this idea that those that are led by the spirit of God, they are the sons of God. So that if we are quite sure that we are being led by the spirit of God, well, then we can be quite certain that we are the children of God."

What does Lloyd-Jones say about the Holy Spirit's primary function?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that the Holy Spirit's primary function is to glorify Christ, not Himself. He quotes Jesus's words in John 16:14: "He shall glorify me." Lloyd-Jones explains: "The Holy Spirit, when he leads, doesn't lead us to himself. He leads us to the Lord Jesus Christ... The spirit doesn't glorify himself. The spirit doesn't glorify particular gifts. Indeed he doesn't glory in gifts as such. He's not sent to do that. These are incidental. These are but means and ends to do something else... The spirit always glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ."

How does Lloyd-Jones critique certain movements in the church regarding spiritual gifts?

Lloyd-Jones critiques certain church movements that overemphasize spiritual gifts by noting they often violate the principle that the Spirit glorifies Christ, not experiences or gifts. He states: "It is to me nothing less than tragic that there are people who genuinely, I believe, are concerned about receiving the spirit. And in glorying in certain gifts only. And all the talk and the emphasis of the prominence is on a particular gift. That seems to me to be violating this most essential principle that our Lord himself laid down." He specifically mentions how some people "talk about nothing but tongues" and make this the central focus rather than Christ.

What evidence does Lloyd-Jones provide that the Holy Spirit always points to Christ?

Lloyd-Jones provides several examples to show the Holy Spirit always points to Christ: 1. Peter's sermon at Pentecost focused on Christ, not the Spirit or spiritual gifts 2. Peter's sermon at the healing of the lame man pointed to Jesus, not their own power 3. The four Gospels, inspired by the Spirit, are accounts glorifying Christ 4. The New Testament epistles all have Christ at their center 5. The book of Revelation is "the revelation of Jesus Christ" 6. In revival history, the death of Christ always becomes prominent

According to Lloyd-Jones, what is the proper Christian response to the cross of Christ?

According to Lloyd-Jones, the proper Christian response to the cross is to glory in it above all else. He quotes Galatians 6:14: "God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." He explains that the true Christian puts Christ and His cross at the center of everything: "Is he the center of all our thinking, all our acting, all our life? You cannot be led by the spirit truly and fully without being led to him. And you talk about him and not about yourself, not about your activities, not about your experiences. You talk about him."

How does Lloyd-Jones describe the personal nature of salvation through Christ?

Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that true salvation involves a personal recognition that Christ died specifically for you as an individual. He quotes Galatians 2:20 and explains: "Now, that's personal. He doesn't say I subscribe to the doctrine of the atonement. I believe that Christ died for the sins of the world. It isn't what he says, you see. That's not enough... when the spirit leads you, when you're filled with the spirit, it isn't any longer only the general belief. You say, the son of God who loved me and gave himself for me, you know, that he died for you."

What final test does Lloyd-Jones suggest for self-examination regarding being a child of God?

The final test Lloyd-Jones suggests is whether the cross has separated you from the world: "Has the world been crucified unto you? Have you been crucified unto the world? That's the thing to examine yourself about during these next days. Can you say quite honestly, that cross of Christ has cut me off from the world? I used to be in it. I belonged to it. I was indisolibly linked with it. He severed me from it. I'm no longer there." This separation from the world and belonging to God's kingdom is a key sign of being led by the Spirit and thus being a child of God.