What Does Martyn Lloyd-Jones Teach About the Woman at the Well's Transformation?

What does it mean that the woman left her water pot at the well according to Lloyd-Jones?

According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, the woman leaving her water pot wasn't a case of excitement or forgetfulness. It was a deliberate action that symbolized a complete transformation in her life and priorities. As he explains: "This is not a case of excitement in that sense. It's not a case of forgetfulness... she deliberately leaves her water pot there, goes to the city to invite these people to come and takes them back with her." This action demonstrated a radical change in her values and interests, showing that her encounter with Christ had completely reoriented her life.

How does Lloyd-Jones contrast religion versus true Christianity in his sermon?

Lloyd-Jones makes a clear distinction between mere religion and true Christianity. He describes religion as something we "take up as a duty," something mechanical that we "force ourselves to do," or an "appendix" to our lives. In contrast, true Christianity is a complete transformation where Christ dominates every aspect of life. He states: "The christian life is not merely a slight modification of our lives. It's not just a slight change in our lives. It is a complete change." True Christianity is not something added to our existing lives but a revolutionary new life with Christ at the center.

What are the areas of life that Christ transforms according to the sermon?

According to Lloyd-Jones, Christ transforms every aspect of our being:

1. The mind: "It shows a change in our mind and in our outlook and in our thinking."
2. The interests: "The whole thing is entirely changed... she leaves her water pot, she goes to the city, brings the men back with her."
3. The will: "The will is dominated by him... It's what the Christian desires to do and wants to do and enjoys doing."
4. The heart and feelings: "There is an excitement about it. And I don't see how men can be truly a Christian without being excited about it. There's a thrill. There's a passion."

He emphasizes that Christ's transformation is total, affecting our entire being and lifestyle.

How does Lloyd-Jones describe the common misconception about the Christian life?

Lloyd-Jones identifies several misconceptions about Christian life:

1. That it's merely "a slight modification of our lives"
2. That Christianity is "like the life of everybody else, with just this one difference, that he has this interest which comes in"
3. That faith is just "some sort of a break upon our lives" that stops us from doing certain things
4. That Christianity is something "we have to remind ourselves" about
5. That it's merely "a duty" we force ourselves to perform
6. That it's just "a vague general influence"

He contrasts these misconceptions with the radical transformation demonstrated by the woman at the well.

Why does Lloyd-Jones believe many Christians remain as "babes in Christ"?

Lloyd-Jones explains that many believers remain spiritual infants because they focus only on forgiveness and salvation without progressing to spiritual maturity. He states: "The instinct of safety, a desire for safety, self preservation, tends to make us realize the problem of forgiveness acutely, but then we tend to stop at it. We are safe, and so we stay there." He references how the apostles frequently reprimanded early Christians "because they were remaining as babes in Christ. They were not going on. They were not going on to perfection." Many believers fail to realize "the tremendous and the glorious possibilities of this life" that Christ offers beyond initial salvation.