Martin Lloyd-Jones Sermon Questions: Romans 8:3-4

What does Paul mean by "what the law could not do"?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, Paul means that the law could not enable us to fulfill its own commands, dictates, and requirements. The law cannot give us life or enable us to fulfill the righteousness that it demands. As Lloyd-Jones explains, "The law couldn't see to it that the righteousness that it demands and desiterates should be fulfilled in us." This isn't merely about being forgiven or declared just (imputed righteousness), but also about having righteousness imparted to us.

Why was the law unable to fulfill its righteousness in us?

The law was unable to fulfill its righteousness in us because "it was weak through the flesh." Lloyd-Jones clarifies that the weakness is not in the law itself but in us. He explains, "Because the law had to work through our flesh... it was therefore weak." The law depends on our efforts to carry out its righteousness, but our flesh is too weak to fulfill it. Lloyd-Jones uses the illustration of a shovel with a wooden handle - the iron shovel is strong, but the wooden handle (representing our flesh) breaks under pressure.

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain what happens when the law interacts with our sinful nature?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that the law not only doesn't change us, but it actually aggravates our problem. He states, "The law, because of our flesh and because of the sin that is in our flesh, actually aggravates our problem." The law "inflames the passions, creates a desire" and leads us to the wretchedness depicted in Romans 7:24. As he quotes from another passage, "the sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law."

What is God's solution to what the law could not do?

God's solution is found in the statement "God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh." Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that salvation is entirely God's action, not man's. He says, "Salvation is altogether and entirely of God. It's what God has done. Not men, but God." This wasn't a divine afterthought but was "planned before the foundation of the world." God sent His own Son to accomplish what the law could not do.

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasize about the phrase "his own Son"?

Lloyd-Jones emphasizes the uniqueness of Christ as God's "own Son." He explains that this distinguishes Christ from angels (who are created beings called "sons of God") and from Christians (who are sons by adoption). Christ is "begotten, not created," meaning He is eternally the Son of God. Lloyd-Jones states, "The Lord Jesus Christ did not become the son of God when he was born into this world. He always was the Son." This eternal sonship is what makes our salvation secure.

How does the fact that Christ is "God's own Son" give us assurance of salvation?

This gives us assurance because God has committed Himself by sending His own Son. Lloyd-Jones explains, "He's not saving us by sending a man... God now is committing himself to this extent. He's sending his own son. In other words, he's putting himself into it." This guarantees there will be no failure or fall like there was with Adam. Our salvation is "guaranteed and safe and sure" because "we are in Christ, and Christ is God's own son, the only begotten of the Father."

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say is the main point Paul is making in Romans 8:1-4?

The main point is that "there is no condemnation" for those in Christ Jesus - now or ever. Lloyd-Jones explains that Paul is "concerned to prove is that there is no condemnation, never will be, never can be, that those who are in Christ are safe for eternity and for glory." This is possible because believers are now under the "rule and reign in the power of grace" and "this mighty process of sanctification has begun."