What Does "Election of Grace" Mean According to Martyn Lloyd-Jones?

What does the "election of grace" refer to in Romans 11?

According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, the "election of grace" in Romans 11:5 refers to God's sovereign choice to preserve a remnant of believers from Israel. It means that God has not rejected the Jewish people entirely but has kept a portion of them as believers through His divine choice. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that this election is entirely by grace, not based on human works or merit. As he states, "It means favor shown to people who don't deserve any favor at all. It is favor shown to criminals, to people who deserve to be destroyed everlastingly. Grace is entirely of God."

How does Elijah's story relate to Paul's argument about the remnant in Romans 11?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that Paul uses Elijah's story as a powerful parallel to the situation in his own time. In 1 Kings 19, Elijah believed he was the only faithful person left in Israel, saying "I alone am left." But God corrected him, revealing He had preserved 7,000 who had not bowed to Baal. Similarly, in Paul's time, while it appeared God had rejected Israel entirely, there was actually a remnant of Jewish believers (including Paul himself) preserved by God's grace. Lloyd-Jones notes, "The whole object of the apostle, of course, is to show the parallel... It isn't the case at all. I am one of a great number."

Why does Lloyd-Jones believe the doctrine of election is important for Christians today?

Lloyd-Jones believes the doctrine of election provides essential comfort and assurance for Christians, especially during difficult times. He states: "God's purposes are sure. Nothing can stop them, nothing can frustrate them. Doesn't matter how many wander away and fall by the wayside. God will always have his remnant." This doctrine reminds believers that the church's preservation doesn't depend on human effort but on God's sovereign choice. He adds, "Were it not for God's purpose, the Christian church would long since have disappeared altogether. There is only one reason why the church goes on, and that is because she is the church of God."

How does Paul distinguish between grace and works in this passage?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes Paul's clear distinction between grace and works in Romans 11:6. He explains that Paul establishes an "eternal antithesis" between the two concepts - they cannot coexist as the basis for salvation. Lloyd-Jones states: "If you try to bring in yourself or anything you've done or said or thought in any way, you are denying the doctrine of grace. Human works doesn't come in at all." He further explains, "If by grace, then it is no more of works. Otherwise grace is no more grace." For Lloyd-Jones, this reinforces that salvation is entirely God's doing, not based on human merit or effort.

What practical lessons does Lloyd-Jones draw from the doctrine of the remnant?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones draws several practical applications from the doctrine of the remnant:

1. Face situations scripturally: "Whatever happens to us, let's not merely look at the thing itself. Let's not merely apply our own reason to it. Let's think of it scripturally."

2. Don't become personally discouraged: "Never let the devil persuade you that the church is yours... The church isn't ours. The battle is not yours, but God's."

3. Don't be swayed by numbers: "Don't follow the crowd. In the time of Elijah, almost everybody was on the wrong side... Doesn't matter if the whole world said the other thing."

4. Avoid pessimism and cynicism: "We must never feel a sense of despair still, lest must we become cynical."

5. Take comfort in God's purposes: "God will preserve his cause. He'll always have his people. And what you and I must make sure of is that we belong to them."