The Called of Jesus Christ
A Sermon on Romans 1:6-7
Originally preached Jan. 13, 1956
Scripture
6Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: 7To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Sermon Description
Why does God love people? Many believe He loves those who do good. This belief stems from the idea that one must first change and then God will love them. Is His loved based on human ability to change? In this sermon on Romans 1:6–7 titled “The Called of Jesus Christ,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains that God’s love is not contingent on the person changing, but just the opposite. That change is based on God’s love. Christians are not those who are earning love from God, but rather Christians are those who already are loved by God. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that God loves His people in the same way He loves His Son. This love is based purely on His grace and it’s a love that has the power to change. Because of His love, Christians are called the beloved; they are called saints. The motivation to change is no longer based upon human hope that God might accept them. The motivation to change now comes from the call: “Be who you are.” If Christians are indeed the beloved of God, let them display it. If they are indeed saints, let them show that they are saints. Christians are who they are by grace and distinct from the world, that they may glorify God.
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostle Paul is addressing the Christians in Rome directly.
- Paul begins by describing himself as a servant of Jesus Christ and called to be an apostle.
- Paul then summarizes the Gospel message.
- Paul now comes to describe the Christians in Rome. He gives a general description of them as "the called of Jesus Christ". This means they belong to Jesus Christ.
- Paul then gives a particular description of the Christians in Rome. They are:
- Beloved of God: They are loved by God in the same way Jesus is loved. This is why they are Christians.
- Called: They have been effectually called by God through the preaching of the Gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit. Not all who hear the Gospel are called, only some.
- Saints: They have been separated from the world and separated to God. All Christians are saints. They have been set apart for God's purposes.
- Paul uses the same terms to describe the Christians in Rome as he uses to describe himself. All Christians are the same.
- We must compare the Christians in Rome to the pagan Gentiles described at the end of Romans 1 to fully appreciate what God has done.
- We should live out the reality of being beloved of God, called, and saints. We should be separate from the world.
Sermon Q&A
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on Romans 1:6-7: Questions and Answers
What does it mean to be "called of Jesus Christ" according to Lloyd-Jones?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, being "called of Jesus Christ" means to belong to Jesus Christ. He explains that this is "another great New Testament phrase 'in Christ.'" Christians are people who "belong to the realm and to the sphere of the Lord Jesus Christ." This is what differentiates believers from all others - they are "in Christ, in his kingdom, in him as members of his body." They belong to him, are joined to him, and united to him in a mystical relationship. Lloyd-Jones notes that this calling is actually attributed to God the Father throughout Scripture, who calls us through Christ and to Christ.
What are the three terms Dr. Lloyd-Jones uses to describe Christians in his exposition of Romans 1:6-7?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies three key terms that describe Christians from Romans 1:7: First, they are "beloved of God" - those upon whom God has set His special love. Second, they are "called" - those who have received an effectual call from God. Third, they are "saints" - those who have been separated to God and to His praise. These three descriptions appear in a specific order that Lloyd-Jones believes is significant, as it reflects the divine order of salvation - God's love comes first, then His call, resulting in our status as saints.
What is the difference between a general call and an effectual call according to Lloyd-Jones?
Lloyd-Jones explains that there are two types of call in Scripture. The general or universal call goes out whenever the gospel is preached - "God commandeth all men everywhere to repent." But the effectual call is what the apostle specifically means when referring to Christians. He illustrates this with an example: "Imagine two men seated in the same seat listening to the same sermon, the same preaching of the gospel. One believes it and the other doesn't." The difference is that in the case of the one who believes, there has been an effectual call - the Holy Spirit has made the word powerful and effective in that person's life, drawing them to Christ.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones correct the common misunderstanding of the term "saint"?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones corrects what he calls the "false Roman Catholic teaching" about saints. He emphasizes that in Scripture, all Christians are saints - not just exceptionally holy people who are canonized after death. He states, "You can't be a Christian without being a saint." The term "saint" simply means "a holy one" - someone who has been "separated to God and to his praise." This separation has both negative aspects (separation from the world) and positive aspects (separation to God's service and glory). Every believer starts as a saint objectively in Christ, and then grows subjectively in saintliness through the process of sanctification.
What is the first reason Christians are what they are, according to Lloyd-Jones?
According to Lloyd-Jones, the very first reason Christians are what they are is because of God's love. He states emphatically: "We don't become the beloved of God because of anything that we do. We are what we are because He first loved us." He explains that what brings people out of the world and the dominion of the devil is "always the love of God." This is "the first thing" in the order of salvation. Lloyd-Jones points to Ephesians 2, where people are described as "dead in trespasses and sins" until "God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love...has quickened us together with Christ." He calls this truth "stupendous" - that believers are "loved by God as he loved his own son."
How does Lloyd-Jones describe the connection between our identity as saints and our behavior?
Lloyd-Jones teaches that our identity as saints should directly influence our behavior. He explains that we don't make ourselves saints through good behavior; rather, we are made saints by God and then should live accordingly: "Because I realize that I am a saint, I must live as a saint. I don't make myself a saint. I'm made a saint." He describes this as the "working out of the saintliness." He quotes 1 John 3:3, "Every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure," to show that our identity leads to action. Lloyd-Jones concludes his sermon by urging Christians to "be what we are" - to let our saintly identity be evident in our conduct as we abstain from worldly lusts and maintain honest conduct that glorifies God.
What illustration does Lloyd-Jones use to show the proper Christian perspective on our salvation?
Lloyd-Jones shares the story of John Bradford, a Marian martyr who was executed about 400 years ago. When Bradford saw a criminal being taken to execution, he remarked, "There but for the grace of God goes John Bradford." Lloyd-Jones uses this illustration to emphasize that Christians should recognize they are saved only by God's grace, not because of any inherent goodness or merit. This perspective fosters humility and gratitude, as believers realize they are what they are "not because of our goodness, not because of our lives, not because of anything in us. It all comes from the love of God." This understanding should motivate Christians to live distinctively holy lives out of gratitude rather than pride.
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.