Salvation Impossible to Man
A Sermon on 2 Corinthians 5:21
Originally preached July 2, 1961
Scripture
21For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Sermon Description
What is salvation? Many see salvation as nothing more than doing good works; others think salvation is merely about being a part of a church. But in this sermon on 2 Corinthians 5:21, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches on the true nature of salvation as found in Scripture. He says that salvation is not about works or anything one does, but it is a matter wholly of God’s grace. People cannot do anything to save themselves apart from God’s grace in Jesus Christ. Humanity’s sin is the ultimate problem in life and is the source of all evil and suffering in this world. This great evil cannot be overcome by social change or good works, but it can only be overcome by the power of God in the gospel. There is no hope apart from the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. While salvation may be impossible for humans, nothing is impossible with God.
Sermon Breakdown
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The sermon text is 2 Corinthians 5:21 - "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."
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The sermon examines two views of salvation - the view after the flesh (man-centered) and the view after the spirit (God-centered).
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The view after the flesh believes salvation is within man's competence, it is not too difficult, and requires willpower and effort. This view relies on good works, religion, and morality to reconcile with God.
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The biblical view of salvation is that it is utterly impossible for man in his own strength. It is the greatest problem in the universe.
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Salvation requires the incarnation and atonement of Jesus Christ. God had to become man to represent man.
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Jesus had to live a perfect life and die as a substitute for sinners. He took on the punishment for sin so God could forgive sinners.
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God imputed the sins of sinners to Christ and punished Christ instead of sinners. Christ died as a substitute for sinners.
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The only thing required of sinners is to believe in Christ and his atoning work. By faith, sinners are joined to Christ and receive his righteousness.
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Those who believe are new creatures, forgiven, and adopted into God's family. Salvation is by grace through faith alone, not works.
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The sermon urges people to believe the message of reconciliation - that Christ was made sin so that sinners can be made the righteousness of God. Salvation is found in Christ alone.
Sermon Q&A
What Is Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' View on How a Person Can Be Saved?
What is the main question that Dr. Lloyd-Jones addresses in this sermon?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the most urgent question confronting every person is how to face death and eternity. He states: "Surely the most urgent question confronting every one of us in this world tonight is just this very question that the apostle considers here." The sermon examines how a person can be reconciled to God and be confident in the face of death, knowing where they will spend eternity.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones contrast the "salvation after the flesh" with "salvation after the spirit"?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones contrasts these two views of salvation:
- Salvation after the flesh (man's way):
- It's within human competence and ability
- It's not excessively difficult
- It requires human willpower, effort, and determination
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It relies on things like birth in a Christian country, baptism, sacraments, church membership, or doing good works
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Salvation after the spirit (God's way):
- It's completely impossible for humans to achieve
- It's the greatest problem in the universe
- It required God's intervention through Christ
- It's received by faith alone in what Christ has done
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say is the real problem with human salvation?
The real problem with salvation, according to Lloyd-Jones, is the nature of God Himself. He explains: "The problem of salvation, the problem of forgiveness, the problem of men's being reconciled to God, is the greatest problem in the universe for one reason only, and that is because of the nature of God. God is light and in him is no darkness at all. God is just, God is holy, God is pure." Because of God's holiness, He cannot simply overlook sin - it must be dealt with.
What solution did God provide for the problem of human sin?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that God's solution was Christ's substitutionary work. He states: "God hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin." The solution required: 1. The incarnation - Christ becoming human 2. Christ's perfect obedience to God's law 3. Christ bearing our sins and punishment on the cross 4. Christ dying in our place as our substitute
As Lloyd-Jones puts it: "He has taken your problem of guilt and mine. He's taken all our sins and transgressions and failures and faults, and he's put them on him."
How does one receive salvation according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, salvation is received through faith alone in Christ's finished work. He says: "You and I are asked to do nothing except to believe that message. That's all." When a person believes in Christ, they are joined to Him, and "everything he's done, you've done." The believer dies with Christ and receives His righteousness. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that salvation is "entirely, utterly, altogether in Christ and in him alone" - not through human works or efforts.
Other Sermons
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.