Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on Romans 8:14: Sons of God and Assurance of Salvation

What is the main theme of Romans chapter 8 according to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the main theme of Romans chapter 8 is the security of the Christian believer - the assurance of salvation or "the absolute certainty of the final perseverance of all who are truly justified in Christ Jesus by faith." He emphasizes that chapter 8 is not primarily about sanctification, as is commonly taught, but about "the absolute certainty of the final, complete and entire salvation of the believer, even including his body." Lloyd-Jones stresses that this theme of certainty and assurance actually began in Romans 5:1-2 with "rejoicing in hope of the glory of God."

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones argue that not all people are children of God?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that the Bible clearly teaches that not all people are children of God. He points to Romans 8:14 which says, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God" - emphasizing "they and they alone." He cites multiple scriptural examples including John 8:44 where Jesus told certain Jews, "You are of your father the devil," and John 1:12 which states that power to become sons of God was given specifically "to them that believe in his name." Lloyd-Jones rejects the popular teaching about "universal fatherhood of God" and "universal brotherhood of men," stating that the Bible consistently divides humanity into two groups: "We are either the children of God, or else we are the children of wrath, the children of the devil."

What is the relationship between adoption and sonship in Romans 8 according to the sermon?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, adoption is the legal action by which God takes believers into His family. He describes it as "an act of God in which He takes us into His own family" - a legal and forensic action closely associated with justification but not identical to it. This adoption is part of God's eternal decree, as shown in Ephesians 1:5, "having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself."

However, Lloyd-Jones explains that Christian sonship goes beyond mere legal adoption. It also involves a change of nature through rebirth - being "born of God" and becoming "partakers of the divine nature" (2 Peter 1:4). The Christian is not merely forgiven or adopted, but has experienced "the life of God in the soul of a man." Both aspects - the legal adoption and the spiritual rebirth - provide assurance of salvation.

How does the concept of sonship contribute to a Christian's assurance of salvation?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that understanding our sonship contributes powerfully to our assurance of salvation in several ways:

1. It reminds us that our relationship with God is irreversible - God's act of adoption is a "mighty legal action" that cannot be undone.

2. It elevates our understanding beyond mere forgiveness to the reality that we are actually in God's family.

3. Our sonship is based on God's eternal decree - "having predestinated us unto the adoption of children" - not on our fluctuating feelings or experiences.

4. Our changed nature as those "born of God" provides internal evidence of our relationship with Him.

5. This understanding transforms how we see ourselves and face life's difficulties: "Lift up your head, and as you look around and see the world as it is this evening, remember that you look at it as a child of God... You'll never know despair then. You'll never know panic or terror or alarm."

What is the proper way to interpret Scripture according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that proper interpretation of Scripture requires understanding the context. He states: "Nothing is more important in the interpretation of scripture than to bear in mind the context. It's a fatal thing, just as it were, to pounce upon a verse or to select or extract a verse on its own." He explains that this is especially important in Romans 8 because the apostle Paul is developing "a very sustained and closely knit and cumulative kind of argument."

Lloyd-Jones notes how Paul uses connecting words like "for" to link sections together, showing that "though it is a new subsection, it isn't independent of the previous one." He admires Paul's method where "one thing always leads to another" and describes watching this process as "a great means of grace and a source of great enjoyment." Lloyd-Jones demonstrates this contextual approach throughout his sermon by tracing the flow of Paul's argument through the entire epistle.