What is Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Teaching About Law and Grace?

What was the main purpose of the law according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the law was never given as a possible way of salvation. Rather, it served three main purposes: first, to show us God's character and demands; second, to reveal the exceeding sinfulness of sin; and third, and most importantly, to lead us to Christ. He states, "The law was given ultimately in order that it might bring us to Christ. The Law was given that we might know our utter and complete helplessness, hopelessness and our ultimate complete inability."

Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say many people misunderstand the law?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that the fundamental error of the Jews in Jesus' time (and many people today) was believing that the law was given as a means of salvation - that by observing the law they could justify themselves before God. He states: "They, having misunderstood the function and the purpose of the law, were regarding it as a means and a way of salvation. They believed that by the observance of the law and the carrying out of the law they could justify themselves before God."

What is meant by "the law was our schoolmaster" according to Lloyd-Jones?

According to Lloyd-Jones, the law functions as a "schoolmaster to bring us to Christ" (Galatians 3:24) by showing us our complete inability to save ourselves. He explains: "The Law is still the schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. And I assert again that no man ever truly comes to Christ except he be brought by this schoolmaster." The law reveals our helplessness and drives us to seek salvation through grace in Christ rather than through our own efforts.

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain John 1:17 regarding law and grace?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones warns against misinterpreting John 1:17 ("the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ") to dismiss the law entirely. He argues the verse isn't meant to depreciate the law but to emphasize the preeminence of Christ. He states: "Don't misinterpret John 1:17. Don't kick the law out. It's not meant to be. That's not his object or purpose at all. He is showing that it was meant to be the schoolmaster that brings us to Christ and the glories of what Christ has given us."

Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say the law cannot save?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones provides three reasons why the law cannot save: 1. The exalted character of its demands (requiring perfect love for God and neighbor) 2. The weakness of our flesh (our inability to do what we know is right) 3. It offers no help (it tells us what to do but gives no power to do it)

He quotes Romans 8:3, "What the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh," to show that the law was inherently unable to save because of human weakness, not because of any flaw in the law itself.

How should Christians view the law according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?

According to Lloyd-Jones, Christians shouldn't dismiss or depreciate the law but should use it properly. He states: "The right reaction to the error of the Jews and to all who are trying to justify themselves by their works and by their actions, is not to depreciate or to condemn or to dismiss the law... It is to use the law rightly." The proper use of the law is to show people their sinfulness and need for a Savior, not to suggest they can be saved by their own efforts.

What pastoral concern did Dr. Lloyd-Jones express about this topic?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones expressed concern that many Christians struggle with guilt over past sins because they misunderstand the relationship between law and grace. He states: "Almost every Sunday, somebody or another comes to me who's in trouble about this. They say, 'but you know my past life, my sin.' And the moment they say that to me I know they've never understood this question of the law properly." He suggests this indicates they still believe somehow that their salvation depends partly on their own goodness.