God’s Way of Reconciliation: Studies in Ephesians II

Description

D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones’s God’s Way of Reconciliation provides a meticulous exposition of Ephesians chapter 2, focusing on humanity’s estrangement from God and the divine solution through Christ. The book compiles sermons that emphasize God’s sovereign work in reconciling sinners to Himself and to one another, rooted in grace alone.

Key Themes

Human Depravity: Lloyd-Jones underscores humanity’s spiritual death in sin, emphasizing that non-Christians are “dead in trespasses” (Ephesians 2:1), utterly helpless without divine intervention.

Grace and Redemption: Salvation is entirely God’s work, achieved through Christ’s sacrificial blood, which removes guilt and propitiates God’s wrath. Lloyd-Jones stresses that forgiveness of sins is foundational to redemption.

Reconciliation: The book highlights two dimensions of reconciliation:

Vertical: Between God and humanity, achieved by Christ’s atonement.

Horizontal: Between Jews and Gentiles in the church, breaking down ethnic and cultural divisions through shared identity in Christ.

Unity in Christ: Lloyd-Jones argues that true peace and unity are found only in the church, where believers are united by their spiritual inheritance in Christ, transcending worldly divisions.

Structure and Style
Lloyd-Jones examines Ephesians 2 phrase-by-phrase, merging theological depth with pastoral application. He rejects superficial views of salvation, urging readers to grasp both the gravity of sin and the grandeur of God’s redemptive plan. The sermons model careful exegesis, demonstrating how each term in Paul’s letter carries profound significance.

Critical Reception
Readers praise the book for its clarity, doctrinal rigor, and devotional richness. Reviewers note its effectiveness in deepening understanding of Christian identity and church unity, often describing it as “magnificent and timeless”. Pastors and laypeople alike value its practical insights into preaching and communal faith.

Conclusion
Lloyd-Jones’s work remains a definitive exploration of Ephesians 2, offering a compelling vision of God’s reconciling grace and its transformative impact on individuals and the church.