Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on Romans 5:9-10: Questions and Answers

What is the main argument that Paul makes in Romans 5:9-10 according to Lloyd-Jones?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the main argument Paul makes in these verses is about the certainty of our final salvation. Lloyd-Jones explains that Paul uses the argument from the greater to the lesser: "If the greater is true, the lesser must be true." The apostle argues that if God has already done the greater thing (justifying us through Christ's blood while we were sinners), then He will certainly do the lesser thing (save us from the coming wrath). This is the most powerful argument for the assurance of salvation found anywhere in Scripture, second only to the direct witness of the Holy Spirit.

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain the three tenses of salvation?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that salvation in Scripture is used in three different tenses: 1. Past tense: "We have been saved" from the guilt of sin through justification 2. Present tense: "We are being saved" from the power and pollution of sin through sanctification 3. Future tense: "We shall be saved" completely, including the redemption of our bodies when we are delivered entirely from sin

The argument in Romans 5:9-10 focuses primarily on this final, future aspect of salvation - the assurance that those who are justified will certainly experience complete salvation.

What does it mean to be "justified by His blood" according to the sermon?

According to Lloyd-Jones, "justified by His blood" means that God declares us righteous based solely on Christ's death on the cross. He emphasizes that justification is more than forgiveness; it means God positively declares us righteous by clothing us with Christ's righteousness. The "blood" refers to Christ's sacrificial death as the ground or basis of our justification. Lloyd-Jones stresses that the grace of God makes justification possible, faith is the channel through which it comes to us, but Christ's blood (His death) is what actually procures our justification.

What common misconceptions about justification does Lloyd-Jones address?

Lloyd-Jones addresses several misconceptions about justification: 1. That our works justify us - "It is nothing that we do that justifies us" 2. That our faith itself justifies us - "It isn't our faith that saves us either... Faith is nothing but the channel" 3. That our regeneration justifies us - "It isn't the fact that we are born again that saves us" 4. That our sanctification justifies us - "We are not justified either by our sanctification"

He emphasizes that only Christ's righteousness imputed to us justifies us, contradicting especially the Roman Catholic view that "we are justified because we are regenerated."

Why does Lloyd-Jones say justification guarantees final salvation?

Lloyd-Jones explains that justification guarantees final salvation because it represents God's final judgment and decision about us. When God justifies us, He makes a fundamental, irreversible declaration about our standing before Him. As Lloyd-Jones puts it: "When God justifies men, He is really making a final pronouncement upon him. That man who is justified is a man who is saved and saved to all eternity."

He quotes John 5:24 where Jesus says that the believer "has everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death into life." This means our judgment has already taken place in justification, and God never contradicts Himself or goes back on His word.

How does Lloyd-Jones describe the significance of the phrase "much more" in these verses?

Lloyd-Jones points out that Paul uses the phrase "much more" repeatedly in Romans 5 (verses 9, 10, 15, and 17). He explains that this phrase shows Paul's use of logic and reasoning in spiritual matters. The phrase indicates something that "follows by a logical necessity, follows as the night follows the day." It's the foundation of Paul's argument from the greater to the lesser - if God has already done the greater thing (justifying sinners through Christ's death), then "much more" will He complete the lesser thing (saving the justified from final wrath). Lloyd-Jones appreciates Paul's logical approach, saying, "It's not unspiritual to be logical. Indeed it is to be highly spiritual."