Strangers and Pilgrims (2)
A Sermon on Romans 13:11-14
Originally preached May 5, 1967
Scripture
11And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us …
Sermon Description
What is the relationship between thoughts and actions? In this sermon on Christians and how they are to live in the world, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones presents a reminder that doctrine and practice are always tied — doctrine especially plays a large influence over the other. What can one deduce from the doctrines that Paul has been presenting in this passage? First, Christians are children of the day. This is how they are to live in the world today— they are to remember where they were, but only by calling to remembrance where Christ has currently brought them. A major purpose of redemption was to deliver the Christian from slavery to sin. Thus, they are doing a great dishonor to the cross of Christ if they are still living in the sinful ways that characterized them before they were saved by Christ. Preaching from Romans 13:11–14 in a sermon titled “Strangers and Pilgrims (2),” Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds the listener that if they start to compromise on their actions, they will also compromise their beliefs so that they line up with what they want to do. He warns that instead of getting as close to the line as possible, flee sin at all costs. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones helps one think through what it means to be a Christian in today’s world and how they can navigate it well.
Sermon Breakdown
- Paul reminds us of what we know as Christians - we know the time, our salvation is nearer, night is far spent, day is at hand.
- We must have the right view of life in this world - to us the world is night, to others it's day. We have a different view of the future - we look forward to Christ's return.
- We know we have been changed - our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.
- We must cast off works of darkness and put on armor of light. We must walk honestly as in the day.
- We belong to the day though day is yet to come. We are no longer of the night.
- We were under God's wrath and facing hell but God delivered us by Christ's death.
- Christ came not just to save us from hell but to make us good. He came to redeem us from all iniquity and purify us.
- We must realize we are no longer what we were. We must live positively as children of light showing God's excellence.
- It is inconsistent and incompatible to claim to know these truths yet live like we did before. We have not so learned Christ.
- Living in the old way is dangerous to our souls. Sin wars against the soul. Demas fell away by loving the world.
- We must flee these dangerous things and follow after righteousness. Godliness with contentment is great gain.
- We must beware of presumption - a false assurance based on intellect alone. We must have a living faith.
- We must work out our salvation with fear and trembling. We must approach God with reverence and godly fear.
- The coming of the Lord is near so we must be patient and establish our hearts. The judge is at the door.
- We must think of the glory that awaits us and purify ourselves as Christ is pure. We must be ready for Christ's coming.
Sermon Q&A
Exploring Sanctification in Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Romans 13 Sermon
What is Lloyd-Jones' approach to sanctification according to this sermon?
According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, sanctification is not primarily received as an experience but is presented in Scripture as the result of logical reasoning from doctrine. He states, "This is the typical New Testament way of preaching sanctification... It's always this 'therefore,' this argument. Sanctification is something that follows on directly from the truth, the doctrine, everything that we have been reminded of concerning ourselves." Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that sanctification is a deduction that flows from understanding who we are in Christ, not something we simply receive in a moment.
What is the "time" Lloyd-Jones refers to that Christians should know?
Lloyd-Jones explains that when Paul says "knowing the time," he means Christians should understand their place in redemptive history. He states: "What he means is the importance of our having a true view of the whole of history. And to us as Christians, the time in which we are living is the time between the first advent of Christ and his second advent, his final coming." This understanding gives Christians a different perspective on life than non-believers have.
How does Lloyd-Jones contrast the Christian and non-Christian view of the world?
Lloyd-Jones draws a stark contrast: "Our view of life as Christians is altogether different from the view taken by the man who's not a Christian. He glories in the life of the world, and to us that is night. It is darkness." The preacher explains that Christians see the present world as "night" while looking forward to "the day" that is coming. The non-Christian has "nothing to look forward to" while the Christian anticipates Christ's return.
What is the danger of presumption that Lloyd-Jones warns about?
Lloyd-Jones warns against "the terrible danger of presumption," which he describes as a "false kind of assurance, which is based only upon a kind of intellectual deduction." He warns against those who say "I'm saved. Everything's settled. I'm finished. I don't have any doubts or troubles." Instead, he points to Paul's instruction to "work out your salvation with fear and trembling," noting that "the Christian is a man who knows something about the holiness of God. So he walks always and approaches God always with reverence and with godly fear."
How does Lloyd-Jones explain the purpose of Christ's atonement?
Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that Christ's atonement has a broader purpose than just forgiveness: "The object of the atonement is not a negative one. It's a very positive one. So often we stop at forgiveness and regard the cross merely as a message of forgiveness." He quotes Titus 2, explaining that Christ "gave himself for us... that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." He adds, "He died not only that we might be forgiven. He died to make us good."
What are the "works of darkness" that Christians should avoid?
In discussing Romans 13, Lloyd-Jones identifies specific behaviors that Christians should avoid as "works of darkness." These include "rioting and drunkenness... chambering and wantonness... strife and envying." He also references other New Testament passages mentioning "lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revelings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries" (1 Peter 4). Lloyd-Jones warns that these behaviors "war against the soul" and are dangerous for Christians to engage in.
How should Christians view their identity according to Lloyd-Jones?
Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that Christians must understand their new identity: "Realize who you are. You were that, you're no longer that." Quoting 1 Peter 2, he reminds believers they are "a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people" who have been "called out of darkness into his marvelous light." This new identity means Christians are "strangers and pilgrims" in this world, whose citizenship is in heaven.
What does Lloyd-Jones say about preparing for Christ's return?
Lloyd-Jones stresses the importance of preparation for Christ's return: "The final argument is this, the shortness of the time which you and I've got to prepare for this glory that awaits us." He quotes Colossians 3, "If you then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above," and states that because Christ will appear and we will appear with Him in glory, we should "mortify your members which are on the earth." He compares this preparation to a bride preparing for her wedding day, urging Christians to "be diligent" because "the day is at hand."
The Book of Romans
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.