Justification Explained
A Sermon on Romans 3:20
Originally preached Feb. 15, 1957
Scripture
20Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Sermon Description
Imagine that a person was on trial for a crime that they had committed. The odds are all stacked against them and they were pronounced guilty. The law rightly condemns them as guilty. However, when the judge is set to announce the punishment, the judge says that they are free. This is how Paul explains justification. It is a legal term and a declaration that Christ no longer condemns the sinner and now regards them as righteous. In this sermon from Romans 3:20 titled “Justification Explained,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains that it is not that Christians are righteous; it is a removal of sin and a pronouncement from the Lord that He considers them righteous. Paul understands that the Jews had fallen into a trap, thinking that they were able to be justified by the law that they were given. However, God gave the law to show how truly sinful everyone is and how they are in need of a Savior. Dr. Lloyd-Jones further illustrates how the word justification is used throughout Scripture and how the Roman Catholics defined the word. He makes interesting points of how the modern day Christian generally does not understand the definition of many key words used throughout Scripture. Dr. Lloyd-Jones also examines the difference between justification and sanctification.
Sermon Breakdown
- The 20th verse of Romans 3 is an extremely important verse that concludes Paul's argument from Romans 1:18. It must be carefully examined.
- The word "therefore" can mean "wherefore" or "because." Here, it likely means "because" and refers back to Romans 3:19, showing why "every mouth may be stopped."
- The term "justified" is one of the most important in Scripture. It appears frequently and was key to the Reformation. Many Christians today do not understand its meaning.
- To be "justified" does not just mean to be pardoned or forgiven. It is more than that. It does not mean to be made righteous or holy either.
- The Roman Catholic view of justification is that it means being made righteous through the infusion of grace and the sacraments. This view is wrong. Justification is not because we are made holy.
- Justification is a judicial act of God. It is a legal declaration that we are righteous, not a statement that we have been made righteous. It is God's pronouncement that we are free of guilt and righteous in his sight.
- Justification refers to our standing before God, not our inward state. It is not a process but a one-time act. We must not confuse it with sanctification.
- Justification is by God the Father as Judge. Sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit. Justification takes place outside us; sanctification inside us. Justification removes guilt; sanctification removes pollution.
- The law was never meant to justify or save. It was given to provide knowledge of sin, define sin, reveal sin, and show our need for Christ. The law stops mouths and leaves the whole world guilty before God.
- We must understand justification to have assurance of salvation. We will always find sin and darkness in ourselves, but we are justified based on God's declaration, not our inward state. We must look to Christ, not ourselves.
Sermon Q&A
Understanding Justification by Faith: A Sermon Analysis of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
What is the key verse that Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones focuses on in this sermon?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones focuses on Romans 3:20, which states: "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." He describes this as "an extremely important statement" that serves as the conclusion to Paul's lengthy argument beginning from Romans 1:18.
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones believe Romans 3:20 is so crucial for understanding the Christian faith?
According to Lloyd-Jones, this verse is crucial because: - It's the final statement in Paul's lengthy argument about sin and justification - It's one of those "crucial statements" for understanding the Christian gospel - If we're not clear about this verse, "the heart of our understanding of the gospel and of salvation will be fallacious" - It connects directly back to Romans 1:17 about the righteousness of God being revealed from faith to faith
What statistical evidence does Lloyd-Jones provide about the importance of understanding the term "justification"?
Lloyd-Jones provides these statistics about the use of "justification" terminology in the New Testament: - Used as nouns 104 times - Used as adjectives 81 times - Used as verbs 39 times - Used as adverbs 5 times
He emphasizes that any term used this frequently in Scripture must be properly understood by Christians.
According to Lloyd-Jones, what is the problem with modern Christians' understanding of theological terms?
Lloyd-Jones cites a survey conducted by a Church of England vicar showing that: - Only 2 out of a group of regular churchgoers understood the meaning of "justification" - Most couldn't properly define other key terms like "incarnation," "regeneration," and "grace" - Even dedicated Christians (Sunday school teachers, choir members) had little understanding of these doctrinal terms - This ignorance prevents effective evangelism and personal spiritual growth
What is the Roman Catholic view of justification that Lloyd-Jones challenges?
According to Lloyd-Jones, the Roman Catholic view of justification includes: 1. Forgiveness of sins 2. Removal of inherent sin for Christ's sake 3. Positive infusion of grace (through baptism, Lord's Supper) that makes one holy 4. A progressive process that can be lost through mortal sin 5. Restoration through penance 6. Completion only after purgatory
He summarizes this view as teaching that "we are justified because we have been made holy," which he calls "that most grievous error."
What is the correct understanding of justification according to Lloyd-Jones?
Lloyd-Jones defines justification as: - A judicial or forensic term related to a law court - A declaration that justice no longer condemns us - The opposite of condemnation - A declaration that we are free from guilt - "The judicial act of God, in which he declares that he regards us as righteous on the grounds of the merits and the righteousness of Christ"
He emphasizes that justification refers to our standing, not our state - God declares us righteous even though we still have sin within us.
How does Lloyd-Jones differentiate between justification and sanctification?
Lloyd-Jones provides these clear distinctions: 1. Justification is the act of God the Father as judge; sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit 2. Justification happens outside us; sanctification happens inside us 3. Justification removes the guilt of sin; sanctification removes the pollution of sin 4. Justification is a one-time, permanent act; sanctification is a continuous process
What was the true purpose of the law according to Lloyd-Jones?
According to Lloyd-Jones, the law was never meant to save people. Its purposes were: - To define sin clearly - To search us and make us see sin in ourselves - To show "the exceeding sinfulness of sin" (Romans 7:13) - To serve as a "schoolmaster" to bring us to Christ by showing our need for Him - To stop every mouth and make the whole world guilty before God
Lloyd-Jones states emphatically: "By the law is the knowledge of sin, not salvation from sin."
The Book of Romans
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.