The Christian's Way of Life

Romans 8:12-13 — There are many aberrant teachings on the doctrine of sanctification. Some like to say the believer is completely hopeless with regards to sin but is this true? Must the Christian only focus on “abiding” in Christ? Does the regenerate person have no power to act against sin? Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones vehemently denies such claims. In his sermon on Romans 8:12–13 titled “Sin and the Christian,” he says the Christian is indeed not hopeless. Instead, the believer is called to realize the truth about their union with Christ. Furthermore, they must not deny the doctrine of regeneration through an insufficient doctrine of sanctification. The Holy Spirit has made them alive and the Spirit of God dwells in them. This gives the Christian power in this life for godly growth. As they walk through this life they should expect maturity. The Christian is far from hopeless in their fight against sin. They have all that they need in Christ and by the Spirit. Dr. Lloyd-Jones admonishes Christians to wake up from their lethargy and realize what God has done to them in Christ. Let them march to Zion, shining forth in good works and glorifying their Father who is in heaven.

Romans 8:12-13 — The apostle Paul often reasons with the Christians to whom he is writing. He does not merely state facts, but engages them with truths based upon the gospel so that they might understand how to live the Christian life. While Paul reminds the Romans of their condition apart from Christ, he also presents them with the truth that if they have faith in Christ, they have the Spirit to indwell them. Based upon the work of Christ, they are indeed justified before God. From here, he forces them to consider how foolish it is for them to continue to live according to the flesh. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones argues in this sermon on Romans 8:12­–13 titled “The Way of Sanctification” that Paul’s admonition to mortify the flesh is based upon the logic of the gospel. In other words, as one realizes the truth about their standing with God in the gospel, they put the truth into practice and mortify the evil deeds of the flesh. In short, says Dr. Lloyd-Jones, this is the way of sanctification. Listen and grow in understanding of Scripture as he works meticulously through this passage and traces the doctrine of sanctification throughout the New Testament.

Romans 8:12-13 — What is sanctification? How is the Christian moved toward greater holiness and away from sin? In this sermon on Romans 8:12–13 titled “A Call for Action,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains that Paul has been referencing the process of sanctification throughout the book of Romans but specifically addresses the theology of it in this passage. While Romans 7 is a battlefield for a Christian’s flesh and spirit, Romans 8 shows the victory that they have in Christ. While there is a war that wages in mortal bodies, God always provides a way for a Christian not to sin. A Christian is immediately released from the reign of sin by giving it over to Christ. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that it is a matter of their own actions and Christ does the rest. If they live by the flesh, they will die by the flesh. However, if they live by the Spirit, they are able to continually mortify their flesh and give it over to Christ. Paul is phrasing this using the present tense, meaning that this is a process where one must continually be active. Christians can rejoice that they are no longer under the obligation of the flesh and that Christ has given the Holy Spirit as their helper.

Romans 8:8-11 — Will a Christian’s mortal body be raised from the dead when Christ returns? Based on Paul’s teaching in this passage, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says it will. In this sermon on Romans 8:8–11 titled “Complete Salvation,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones says that Paul is painting a picture of the Christian in today’s world by showing what the future will look like. While a Christian is still in this world, their body remains dead because of sin, but it will be raised from the dead when Christ returns. The two phases of the Spirit dwelling within the Christian points to the physical body as a temple of the Holy Ghost. Just as Christ was filled with the Spirit, so is a Christian and He serves as the seal and assurance that Christians’ bodies will be resurrected. They can be certain of this because Christ will always finish His work in their lives. Christ will redeem them and their mortal bodies from the fall and anyone who says otherwise is denying Scripture. Christians can look with great anticipation to the day when their salvation will be complete and that their mortal bodies will be free from disease and decay, worthy of the Holy Spirit that dwells within.

Romans 8:5-8 — There is a restlessness which surrounds the non-Christian. Listen to this sermon from Romans 8:5–8 titled “At Peace with God” where Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, alluding to holy Scripture, says the person whose sins have not been forgiven is like the troubled sea. Picking up on what perhaps might be an unusual placement of “peace” in this passage, he defends the apostle Paul’s emphasis on peace here and throughout the letter. Dr. Lloyd-Jones is able to connect the theme of peace to justification by faith and the righteousness of God in Romans. Furthermore, he elaborates that before God, a natural person’s position is enmity and not peace. The natural person, who is controlled by a life of sin, is living in dissatisfaction. While they are always trying to find peace and joy, they cannot. However, the result of being governed by the Spirit is life and peace. This person, argues Dr. Lloyd-Jones, understands the meaning of life in this world. They also have an inner harmony, as well as an external harmony with others. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones encourages the listener to find true peace by being governed by the Spirit and able to stand blameless and faultless before a holy and righteous God.

Romans 8:5-8 — The metaphors for life and living abound in this sermon on Romans 8:5–8 titled “The Test of Real Christianity” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones piles together vivid illustrations of nourishment, abundance, movement, genuineness, warmth, and vigor. This is because the true “test” of Christianity is whether a person is genuinely “alive to God.” There is no such thing as a Christian who has not been “made alive” by God or has been born again by the Spirit. If there is only death, warns Dr. Lloyd-Jones, there is not true Christianity, no matter how moral a person may be. While on the outside someone may superimpose Christian morality onto their life, it is ultimately inauthentic and artificial. It is a lifeless duty and lacks the warmth and spontaneity of genuine Spirit-wrought change that always accompanies regeneration. This has practical implications, argues Dr. Lloyd-Jones. It will change one’s understanding of evangelism. It will also impact how they understand “backsliding” in the Christian life. Moreover, it changes how they evaluate the fruit of a Christian life. Listen as he combats a lifeless, mechanical Christianity with an authentic biblical Christianity that is full of life, joy, and authentic Christian service to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:5-8 — What are some characteristics of a true Christian? In this sermon on Romans 8:5–8 titled “Controlled by the Spirit,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones is adamant that Paul is contrasting a Christian and a non-Christian and outlines several key points that should set a Christian apart. Paul’s primary object is to establish the final certainty for all who are in Christ. A Christian is one who is habitually dominated by the Holy Spirit and minds things of the Spirit, which is not something done out of duty. They also do not set their mind on religion, religious phenomena, or theology. Rather, they are fully committed and guided by the Spirit. A true Christian is concerned about themselves as a soul first and foremost. This means that their identity is in Christ and His work of salvation, not in a person’s human identity, career, family, or hobby. A Christian is also aware of their own sinfulness and concerned about the state of this world. These traits and more show someone who is guided by the Spirit as a true Christian.

Romans 8:5-8 — According to the apostle Paul, there is a sharp distinction between a Christian and non-Christian. As Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones elaborates in this message on Romans 8:5–8 titled “Carnal or Christian?”, the non-Christian is “under the flesh.” Some popular interpretations of this passage miss this distinction and instead posit a distinction between Christians. They will say there are two kinds of Christians: the “spiritual” Christian and the “carnal” Christian. In this sermon, Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues against the “carnal” Christian view. What emerges from the biblical text is a devastating picture of the “natural man.” The natural man, according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, is a person of the “flesh.” Their mind is opposed to the things of God. They are an enemy of God and refuse to submit to the law of God. Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds the listener that ‘good’, cultured, and well-spoken people are just as much under God’s wrath as regular sinners. Listen to this sobering message on the spiritually dead and be encouraged that God has put life into His people through Christ.

Romans 8:3-4 — According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones in this sermon on Romans 8:3–4, the Christian life is about trusting in God. Salvation comes not through works, but as a free gift in Christ Jesus. All attempts to seek God on one’s own are doomed to fail for it is God that reveals Himself and gives the gospel. What is the gospel? It is the message that Christ has died for sinners in order that they would not have to suffer for their own sin. For under the law, there is condemnation but Jesus died in order to fulfil the law. Christians are to live now in the power of Christ and seek holiness and righteousness. Yet, the Bible never says that humanity will be completely free from sin in this life. Nevertheless, Christians are still free from the power of the flesh and sin. By trusting in Jesus, they are made right with God and though they sin, their hope remains in Christ and not themselves. Dr. Lloyd-Jones preaches the most important message because it concerns the eternal destiny of everyone: “do you believe in Jesus?”

Romans 8:3-4 — Just how does Christ’s death condemn sin? In this sermon from Romans 8:3–4 titled “Christ’s Sacrifice Condemns Sin,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says that the death of Christ is not only the foundation of justification before God, but it is the source of sanctification. Sin can only be fully and finally overcome by Jesus’s death on the cross in humanity’s place. While the Bible is clear that no one can ever be perfect in this life, this does not mean that Christians are not always being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Those who say that they are Christians while living a life totally devoid of the fruits of the Spirit are living a lie. For all those that are justified by Christ are sanctified by his Holy Spirit. This sermon brings the timeless message of the need of salvation and Jesus Christ the Savior. It not only tells of sin, but also of God’s grace in giving His only Son that Christians might be justified. This sermon asks all the questions: “do I believe in Christ for my justification? Am I trusting in him alone?”