Good Works
A Sermon on Romans 2:6-10
Originally preached Nov. 16, 1956
Scripture
6Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 8But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 9 …
Sermon Description
Can good works save? Will one receive salvation just for being a ‘good’ person? In the sermon titled “…To…Man that Worketh Good,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones walks through these questions in Romans 2:6–10, a passage often taken out of context. While works are the proof of salvation, they are not the source of it. Paul proves that people cannot be justified by works alone and no matter the efforts of all of humanity, no one is righteous or exempt from judgement. In this message, Dr. Lloyd-Jones states that the day of condemnation will bring judgement upon those who relied on their efforts to impress God; those that say they know the Lord but do not keep His commands are liars. If one is truly a believer, they have the Holy Spirit who will act in them and change them, and that change will be manifested with outward expression. Christians should always aim to bring glory to God, seek His honor, and yearn for eternal life with Him. This should cause Christians to be mindful that what comes out of their mouths also is represented in the works that they do.
Sermon Breakdown
- The passage under consideration is Romans 2:6-10. These verses have often been misunderstood as teaching justification by works.
- However, justification by works contradicts the overall theme of Romans 1:18-3:20 which is that no one can be justified by works.
- Romans 3:9-10 clearly state that no one is righteous and no one seeks God. Romans 3:20 also states that no one can be justified by works of the law.
- Therefore, Romans 2:6-10 cannot be teaching justification by works. The context shows this interpretation is impossible.
- Every verse must be interpreted in its proper context. Isolating verses leads to misinterpretation and false doctrine.
- The theme of Romans 1:18-3:20 is the wrath of God against sin. Paul is proving that all are under sin and condemnation.
- Romans 2:6-10 show the grounds of judgment and condemnation, not the way of salvation. They show that works can condemn, even if they cannot save.
- Although works cannot save, they do show if someone is saved. Salvation will always lead to good works.
- There is a danger in thinking that mere belief or profession saves apart from regeneration and good works. Mere belief is not enough.
- Jesus, Paul, James, and John all teach that faith without works is dead and cannot save. Works show if faith is genuine.
- The works that lead to eternal life are patiently continuing in doing good and seeking glory, honor, and immortality.
- We should examine our lives to see if we are truly seeking God or living worldly lives with only occasional interest in spiritual things. The direction of our lives shows our true state.
- Romans 2:11-16 raise the question of the fate of those who have never heard the gospel. This passage will be examined in the next sermon.
Sermon Q&A
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on Justification and Works in Romans 2:6-10
What is the main point Dr. Lloyd-Jones makes about Romans 2:6-10 regarding justification?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones clarifies that Romans 2:6-10 is not teaching justification by works, which would contradict Paul's entire argument in Romans. He explains: "The apostle's ultimate object is to show that works cannot save a man. But he is equally anxious to show here that works can condemn a man. Our works can't save us, but our works can condemn us." This passage is about the terms of judgment, not salvation.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain the apparent contradiction between "judgment according to works" and "justification by faith"?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains there is no contradiction because in this passage (Romans 2:6-10), Paul is not discussing how we are saved but rather establishing the grounds of judgment. He states: "In the whole of this section, from chapter one, verse 18 to chapter 3:20, the apostle is not considering for a second the question of justification at all." Instead, Paul is addressing what condemns people - showing that the standard of judgment will be works, regardless of whether one is a Jew or Gentile.
What principle does Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasize about interpreting Scripture?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes the critical importance of context in biblical interpretation: "Every verse must be taken in its context. Every single text must never be divorced from its context." He warns against "the terrible danger of taking a verse right out of its context and establishing or founding a doctrine upon it." He specifically mentions that the context is "more important than a knowledge of Greek or Hebrew" when interpreting Scripture.
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, what error was becoming common in evangelism?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones warns against "glib believism" - the practice of telling people they are saved simply because they verbally say they believe. He cautions: "There is nothing surely, which is more dangerous to the soul than what we may call a glib believism... to give them the impression that because they've said they believe and accept that all is well." He calls this approach potentially "terribly all wrong" and "an exceedingly dangerous thing."
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones define true faith and its relationship to works?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that true faith always produces works. He states: "If we are saved, we are regenerate. And you cannot have the new life of God in you without its leading to certain results." He quotes Ephesians 2:10 that we are "created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath ordained that we should walk in them." Genuine salvation will be evidenced by "patient continuance in well doing" and "seeking for glory and honor and immortality."
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as a dangerous tendency among Christians?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies antinomianism as a major danger: "There is no greater danger confronting anybody who makes a profession of the christian faith than what is called antinomianism... that you rely upon the fact that you make statements and divorce that from your life." He warns against those who say, "as long as I'm saved, it doesn't matter what I do."
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones use Matthew 25 to support his teaching on faith and works?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones references Jesus's teaching about the sheep and goats in Matthew 25, where judgment is based on actions taken toward "the least of these." He points out that even those condemned called Jesus "Lord," showing that mere verbal profession without corresponding actions is insufficient. This reinforces his point that genuine faith always produces works of love and service.
What test does Dr. Lloyd-Jones suggest for examining our own faith?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones suggests we test our faith by examining the direction and focus of our lives: "Am I seeking glory and honor and immortality? What's the thing that's uppermost in my life? What do I want? Which way am I facing?" He states that while believers may occasionally backslide, "the bent of his life" should be oriented toward godly pursuits rather than worldly ones.
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.