Questions and Answers from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on Romans 2:2-4

What does Lloyd-Jones teach about God's judgment being "according to truth"?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, God's judgment being "according to truth" means that God judges with perfect accuracy and fairness, unlike human judgment which is fallible and often unworthy. God always punishes sin exactly as He has declared He would. This truth is foundational to understanding the atonement because it means God cannot simply overlook sin - He must punish it. Lloyd-Jones explains, "God has said that he is going to punish sin. Therefore God must punish sin. And God does punish sin." This is why Christ's substitutionary death was necessary - because God's judgment according to truth demanded that sin be punished, and Christ bore that punishment in our place.

How does Lloyd-Jones connect God's judgment to the doctrine of the atonement?

Lloyd-Jones connects God's judgment to the atonement by explaining that since God must judge sin "according to truth," the only way He can forgive sinners is by punishing their sin in Christ. He states, "God cannot forgive anybody without punishing the sin." This insists on viewing the atonement in a "penal manner" (substitutionary atonement) where Christ bears our punishment. He rejects views that see the cross merely as a demonstration of God's love or a declaration that God overlooks sin. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes, "If you've got a view of God's forgiveness of sin, which in any way delegates or detracts from the justice of God, it is a denial of the scripture."

What arguments do people make about God's goodness to avoid the reality of judgment?

According to Lloyd-Jones, people make several arguments based on God's goodness to avoid judgment: 1. They pit God's goodness, love, and kindness against His holiness, righteousness, and justice 2. They argue that since God doesn't punish sin immediately, He never will 3. They point to God's blessings on unbelievers as proof He won't judge anyone 4. They use the long history of the world without final judgment as evidence judgment won't come 5. They claim talking about God's wrath is blasphemy and contradicts Jesus' teaching about God's love

What does it mean to "despise the riches of God's goodness"?

Lloyd-Jones explains that despising the riches of God's goodness means speaking glibly about God's goodness without truly considering or understanding it. People who continue in sin while talking about God's goodness have never properly studied, contemplated, or appreciated the depth of God's kindness. He explains, "What he does is this. He says, 'Oh, I believe in the goodness of God,' and rushes on to commit his sin or to continue the life he's been living. He's never really considered it." True appreciation of God's goodness should lead to repentance, not presumption.

How does Lloyd-Jones describe the "riches" of God's character in this sermon?

Lloyd-Jones describes three aspects of God's riches: 1. The riches of God's goodness - His general kindness to all people, sending rain and sunshine to both the just and unjust, providing food, family, shelter, and all good gifts 2. The riches of God's forbearance - The way God bears with sinners and doesn't immediately punish sin, showing patience even when we break promises 3. The riches of God's long-suffering - His continuing forbearance over extended periods, postponing punishment and being "slow to anger" as the reason the world continues to exist despite sin

How does Lloyd-Jones explain why the Jews misunderstood God's judgment?

Lloyd-Jones explains that the Jews misunderstood God's judgment because they were blinded by sin in several ways: 1. They misread their own Old Testament scriptures, twisting them to suit their case 2. They were blind to their own actual history, refusing to acknowledge how God had previously punished them 3. They were blind to the signs of the times, failing to recognize John the Baptist and Jesus 4. They had a false sense of security based on being Abraham's descendants 5. They presumed upon God's goodness and blessing without understanding its purpose

What, according to Lloyd-Jones, is the real purpose of God's goodness toward sinners?

According to Lloyd-Jones, the real purpose of God's goodness toward sinners is to lead them to repentance. He quotes Romans 2:4 which says "the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance." God shows kindness, forbearance, and long-suffering not so people can continue in sin, but to give them time and opportunity to turn from their sins. His goodness is not meant to make people complacent about judgment but to awaken them to their need for salvation.

How does this sermon address the question of escaping God's judgment?

Lloyd-Jones emphatically states there is no way to escape God's judgment except through Christ. He says, "There is no escaping the judgment of God. There is no argument, no subterfuge, no cleverness, nothing that's going to avail." He points out that this is a primary motivation for evangelism - that the whole of mankind is under God's judgment with "no escape apart from the way that God himself has provided through our Lord and savior Jesus Christ." Lloyd-Jones stresses that the world's casual attitude toward this judgment is extremely dangerous.