What Does "Christ Making Intercession for Us" Mean According to Martyn Lloyd-Jones?

What is the meaning of Christ being "at the right hand of God" according to Lloyd-Jones?

According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Christ being "at the right hand of God" has several significant meanings:

1. It represents Christ's work as our High Priest who has entered the heavenly sanctuary on our behalf, offering His own blood as a perfect sacrifice
2. It signifies the completion of His redemptive work - "having offered his blood to the Father was the last act and the last step in our redemption"
3. It is a reward from God for what Christ accomplished on our behalf - "He's seated at the right hand of God as a reward... for what he's done for us"
4. It demonstrates His exalted position where He exercises all authority and power for our benefit
5. It guarantees our salvation since we are positionally "seated with him in heavenly places in Christ Jesus"

As Lloyd-Jones explains: "The fact that he's there and there for us is a guarantee that nothing can ever rob us of that glory which is coming to us."

How does Lloyd-Jones explain Christ's intercession for believers?

Lloyd-Jones rejects the common dramatized interpretation of Christ's intercession as a courtroom scene. Instead, he explains that Christ's intercession means:

1. Christ continues, since His resurrection and exaltation, "to secure for his people the benefits of his death"
2. Everything from God comes to believers through Christ and for His sake
3. Christ serves as our representative before God, ensuring we receive all necessary grace and mercy
4. Christ mediates all God's blessings to us - "All the benefits of God come through him"
5. Christ's intercession is not about repeatedly defending us against new accusations, but about continuously applying the benefits of His completed work

Lloyd-Jones quotes Charles Hodge who said: "Of course, this language is figurative. The meaning is that Christ continues since his resurrection and exaltation to secure for his people the benefits of his death."

How does Lloyd-Jones connect Christ's intercession to the believer's assurance of salvation?

Lloyd-Jones connects Christ's intercession to absolute assurance of salvation in several ways:

1. Christ's intercession guarantees we lack nothing essential for final salvation - "while he is there, I shall lack nothing that is essential to my final salvation"
2. His intercession is permanent - "He ever liveth, he continueth ever so that my final salvation is absolutely guaranteed"
3. His intercession means we can approach God with boldness - "I can go into the presence of God with boldness, with assurance"
4. His position at God's right hand proves our case is permanently settled - "There is therefore now no condemnation"
5. His intercession means all our needs are met - "I not only get mercy, but I get grace to help in time of need"

Lloyd-Jones concludes: "No day can ever dawn when he'll not be there. No day can ever dawn then when anything or anyone can in any way rob me of the salvation which he has purchased for me and given to me in Christ."

Why does Lloyd-Jones criticize those who doubt their salvation?

Lloyd-Jones criticizes those who doubt their salvation because:

1. It demonstrates unbelief in the clear teachings of Scripture
2. It fails to appreciate the completeness of Christ's work - "He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified"
3. It ignores the fact that believers are already positionally seated with Christ in heavenly places
4. It suggests God's work could somehow be undone or reversed
5. It's not spiritual modesty but actually the opposite - "It's not a sign of spiritual modesty, not to be sure of your salvation. It's the exact opposite. It's unbelief."

As Lloyd-Jones says: "My dear friend, you who still doubt the final perseverance of the saints, are you asking me to believe that anything or anybody can ever draw you out of that position in which you were seated in the heavenly places already in Christ Jesus? Are you asking me to believe that the Almighty and everlasting God has raised you to that position, and that there's any power that can ever bring you from it? It's utter absurdity."

What does Lloyd-Jones teach about the security of believers in Christ?

Lloyd-Jones teaches that believers have absolute security in Christ because:

1. Christ has "perfected forever them that are sanctified" through His one-time sacrifice
2. Christ's presence at God's right hand is the guarantee of our final glorification
3. Believers are already positionally seated with Christ in heavenly places
4. Nothing can reverse what God has accomplished - "There is no condemnation conceivable in such a situation"
5. Christ "ever liveth to make intercession" for believers, ensuring their salvation "to the uttermost"

Lloyd-Jones emphasizes this security: "Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? Who is going to condemn us? The fact that he's there and there for us is a guarantee that nothing can ever rob us of that glory which is coming to us."