Pathway to Victory provides practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through clear, Biblical teaching.
#Goodness
#Grace
#Marriage
#Relationships
#Husband
#Wife
#Unity
#Division
#Sin
#Forgiveness
#Jesus
#RobertJeffress
Closed captions
Show Timecode
Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Good Grace Marriages (Part B) | April 23, 2026
- Join us on the "pathway to victory" cruise to alaska,
- 00:00:00.156 --> 00:00:03.026
- June 13th through 20, 2026.
- 00:00:03.026 --> 00:00:05.895
- Let me paint a picture for you.
- 00:00:05.895 --> 00:00:07.764
- You're standing on the deck of a beautiful cruise ship,
- 00:00:07.764 --> 00:00:11.067
- Coffee in hand
- 00:00:11.067 --> 00:00:12.368
- Watching a glacier cab into the pristine waters
- 00:00:12.368 --> 00:00:15.905
- While bald eagles circle overhead.
- 00:00:15.905 --> 00:00:18.842
- That's going to be us this coming june.
- 00:00:18.842 --> 00:00:21.544
- You've got to see alaska with your own eyes
- 00:00:21.544 --> 00:00:24.047
- To believe it.
- 00:00:24.047 --> 00:00:25.115
- Seven days of pure luxury
- 00:00:25.115 --> 00:00:27.050
- Where every meal is prepared for you.
- 00:00:27.050 --> 00:00:29.352
- The world class service
- 00:00:29.352 --> 00:00:30.620
- Means you never have to think about the details.
- 00:00:30.620 --> 00:00:33.289
- Instead, you can focus on casual conversations
- 00:00:33.289 --> 00:00:36.526
- With like-minded christians, laughing,
- 00:00:36.526 --> 00:00:39.062
- Telling stories
- 00:00:39.062 --> 00:00:40.497
- While surrounded by god's breathtaking creation.
- 00:00:40.497 --> 00:00:43.266
- This is purposeful travel at its finest,
- 00:00:43.266 --> 00:00:46.569
- Refreshing your soul in god's stunning cathedral
- 00:00:46.569 --> 00:00:50.206
- Of natural wonders.
- 00:00:50.206 --> 00:00:52.175
- Call 888-280-6747 or visit ptv.org.
- 00:00:52.175 --> 00:00:58.648
- ♪ music ♪
- 00:00:58.982 --> 00:01:04.988
- From the pulpit of the first baptist church
- 00:01:05.889 --> 00:01:08.057
- Of dallas, texas,
- 00:01:08.057 --> 00:01:09.559
- This is "pathway to victory" with dr. robert jeffress.
- 00:01:09.559 --> 00:01:12.829
- Hi, i am robert jeffress.
- 00:01:13.396 --> 00:01:15.198
- And welcome again to "pathway to victory."
- 00:01:15.198 --> 00:01:17.700
- The bible teaches that god is willing to forgive us
- 00:01:17.700 --> 00:01:20.370
- Of our sins.
- 00:01:20.370 --> 00:01:21.638
- But while our sins may be forgiven,
- 00:01:21.638 --> 00:01:24.040
- They still have consequences,
- 00:01:24.040 --> 00:01:26.176
- And that's especially true when it comes to marriage.
- 00:01:26.176 --> 00:01:29.112
- Today we're going to look at the grim reality
- 00:01:29.112 --> 00:01:31.748
- Of what happens when we apply bad grace to our marriages.
- 00:01:31.748 --> 00:01:35.785
- Whether you're married, looking to marry,
- 00:01:35.785 --> 00:01:38.021
- Or mentoring a young married couple,
- 00:01:38.021 --> 00:01:40.223
- This is a message for you.
- 00:01:40.223 --> 00:01:42.125
- We're talking about good grace marriages
- 00:01:42.125 --> 00:01:44.961
- On today's edition of "pathway to victory."
- 00:01:44.961 --> 00:01:49.232
- ♪ the sun was darkened and the heavens thundered ♪
- 00:01:49.232 --> 00:01:54.871
- ♪ and for a moment death had thought it conquered ♪
- 00:01:55.939 --> 00:02:01.344
- ♪ but it wasn't over 'til you said ♪
- 00:02:02.145 --> 00:02:06.549
- ♪ it's over ♪
- 00:02:06.549 --> 00:02:08.952
- ♪ your word is greater still ♪
- 00:02:08.952 --> 00:02:14.591
- ♪ the perfect sacrifice, your body broken ♪
- 00:02:15.525 --> 00:02:20.830
- ♪ as you restored to us what sin had stolen ♪
- 00:02:21.764 --> 00:02:26.903
- ♪ once and for all you tore the veil wide open ♪
- 00:02:27.904 --> 00:02:33.610
- ♪ your power is stronger still ♪
- 00:02:34.277 --> 00:02:39.549
- ♪ all praise, all praise ♪
- 00:02:40.149 --> 00:02:45.421
- ♪ to the name above all names ♪
- 00:02:46.089 --> 00:02:51.928
- ♪ jesus, you reign ♪
- 00:02:52.428 --> 00:02:57.767
- ♪ 'cause you're the name above all names ♪
- 00:02:58.701 --> 00:03:04.641
- ♪ all praise, all praise ♪
- 00:03:05.241 --> 00:03:10.647
- ♪ to the name above all names ♪
- 00:03:11.314 --> 00:03:17.587
- ♪ jesus, you reign ♪
- 00:03:18.087 --> 00:03:23.426
- ♪ 'cause you're the name above all names ♪
- 00:03:24.360 --> 00:03:32.402
- ♪ hallelujah ♪
- 00:03:32.802 --> 00:03:38.474
- ♪ every voice will proclaim ♪
- 00:03:39.142 --> 00:03:41.878
- ♪ there is no higher name ♪
- 00:03:41.878 --> 00:03:45.014
- ♪ hallelujah ♪
- 00:03:45.014 --> 00:03:51.120
- ♪ age to age we will sing ♪
- 00:03:51.754 --> 00:03:54.424
- ♪ there is no higher name ♪
- 00:03:54.424 --> 00:03:58.061
- ♪ all praise, all praise ♪
- 00:03:58.061 --> 00:04:03.766
- ♪ to the name above all names ♪
- 00:04:04.434 --> 00:04:10.239
- ♪ jesus, you reign ♪
- 00:04:10.740 --> 00:04:16.312
- ♪ 'cause you're the name above all names ♪
- 00:04:17.246 --> 00:04:22.819
- ♪ you're the name above all names ♪
- 00:04:23.619 --> 00:04:28.991
- ♪ you're the name above all names ♪
- 00:04:29.792 --> 00:04:45.708
- (all applauding)
- 00:04:46.075 --> 00:04:49.479
- Some christians use grace as a spiritual
- 00:04:50.346 --> 00:04:52.782
- Get-out-of-jail free card.
- 00:04:52.782 --> 00:04:54.550
- Others pile on so many rules,
- 00:04:54.550 --> 00:04:56.753
- They have no grace for themselves or others.
- 00:04:56.753 --> 00:04:59.389
- In "grace gone wild,"
- 00:04:59.389 --> 00:05:01.224
- Dr. robert jeffress shows you what biblical grace
- 00:05:01.224 --> 00:05:03.860
- Actually looks like and how practicing it
- 00:05:03.860 --> 00:05:06.262
- Leads to true freedom and lasting joy.
- 00:05:06.262 --> 00:05:09.031
- Discover how grace can transform your marriage,
- 00:05:09.031 --> 00:05:11.401
- Your relationships, and your walk with god.
- 00:05:11.401 --> 00:05:14.036
- Request "grace gone wild"
- 00:05:14.036 --> 00:05:15.972
- When you give a generous ministry gift
- 00:05:15.972 --> 00:05:18.007
- To "pathway to victory."
- 00:05:18.007 --> 00:05:20.209
- ♪ music ♪
- 00:05:20.209 --> 00:05:27.617
- When i talk about that,
- 00:05:28.117 --> 00:05:29.385
- I talk from an interesting vantage point.
- 00:05:29.385 --> 00:05:33.856
- You've heard me tell this story,
- 00:05:33.856 --> 00:05:35.224
- I won't tell the whole story.
- 00:05:35.224 --> 00:05:36.526
- But my dad,
- 00:05:36.526 --> 00:05:38.895
- When he was single was in the service,
- 00:05:39.729 --> 00:05:42.432
- And he got saved through the witness of a chaplain.
- 00:05:42.432 --> 00:05:46.502
- And he was 21 and came back to dallas.
- 00:05:46.502 --> 00:05:50.873
- And went to smu under a gi bill.
- 00:05:50.873 --> 00:05:54.677
- And he met my mom there
- 00:05:54.677 --> 00:05:57.280
- Who was just a teenager at the time going to smu,
- 00:05:57.280 --> 00:06:00.550
- And she wasn't a christian.
- 00:06:00.550 --> 00:06:02.885
- And later on they dated, and they got married,
- 00:06:02.885 --> 00:06:07.857
- And my dad did everything he could to win my mom to christ.
- 00:06:07.857 --> 00:06:11.928
- Would take her here to church first baptist,
- 00:06:11.928 --> 00:06:14.330
- And she didn't want to have a thing to do with it.
- 00:06:14.330 --> 00:06:16.365
- And then finally he drug her to a billy graham crusade
- 00:06:16.365 --> 00:06:19.469
- Here in dallas.
- 00:06:19.469 --> 00:06:20.736
- And there she gave her life to christ,
- 00:06:20.736 --> 00:06:23.005
- And she came back here and joined the church.
- 00:06:23.005 --> 00:06:26.042
- And that's how i ended up here.
- 00:06:26.042 --> 00:06:28.077
- And you say,
- 00:06:28.077 --> 00:06:29.245
- "well pastor, there's a good example,
- 00:06:29.245 --> 00:06:30.913
- A christian winning a non-christian to christ.
- 00:06:30.913 --> 00:06:35.017
- Are you saying that's wrong?"
- 00:06:35.017 --> 00:06:37.353
- I have to be careful here.
- 00:06:37.920 --> 00:06:39.188
- I could argue myself out of existence if i...
- 00:06:39.188 --> 00:06:42.325
- (all laughing)
- 00:06:42.325 --> 00:06:43.192
- Was that a mistake?
- 00:06:43.192 --> 00:06:44.327
- Was that wrong?
- 00:06:44.327 --> 00:06:45.561
- Well, first of all, yes, it was wrong.
- 00:06:45.561 --> 00:06:48.264
- My father didn't know any better, he was a new christian.
- 00:06:48.264 --> 00:06:50.800
- He didn't know you're not supposed to marry a non-christian,
- 00:06:50.800 --> 00:06:53.736
- But it was a mistake.
- 00:06:53.736 --> 00:06:55.271
- He should not have done that.
- 00:06:55.271 --> 00:06:57.673
- But god forgave him of that mistake,
- 00:06:57.673 --> 00:07:00.810
- And god still used even mistakes
- 00:07:00.810 --> 00:07:04.213
- To bring about his ultimate will.
- 00:07:04.213 --> 00:07:06.782
- But what if he had followed god's instruction?
- 00:07:06.782 --> 00:07:10.520
- What if he had waited until my mom became a christian?
- 00:07:10.520 --> 00:07:13.122
- Perhaps they would've had an even better marriage.
- 00:07:13.122 --> 00:07:17.159
- Here's the point.
- 00:07:17.159 --> 00:07:19.495
- If you are on the front end of a decision
- 00:07:19.495 --> 00:07:22.331
- About whom to marry, follow god's rules,
- 00:07:22.331 --> 00:07:26.302
- Only marry a christian
- 00:07:26.302 --> 00:07:27.737
- And you'll have a much better marriage
- 00:07:27.737 --> 00:07:29.939
- Than you will if you ignore god's statutes.
- 00:07:29.939 --> 00:07:32.942
- But if you've already made that mistake,
- 00:07:32.942 --> 00:07:36.445
- Ask for god's forgiveness
- 00:07:36.445 --> 00:07:38.381
- And try to have the best marriage that you possibly can.
- 00:07:38.381 --> 00:07:41.350
- Remember, success is not defined
- 00:07:41.350 --> 00:07:43.619
- By what we have or what we're experiencing.
- 00:07:43.619 --> 00:07:46.589
- Success is what we have
- 00:07:46.589 --> 00:07:48.090
- Or what we're experiencing compared to what we could have.
- 00:07:48.090 --> 00:07:52.628
- And what we can have is what's brought about when we follow
- 00:07:52.628 --> 00:07:56.999
- And obey god's word for every area of our life.
- 00:07:56.999 --> 00:08:01.137
- Lie number one about marriage, i can marry whomever i want.
- 00:08:01.137 --> 00:08:05.308
- There's a second lie about marriage
- 00:08:05.308 --> 00:08:08.277
- And it has to do with the fidelity in marriage.
- 00:08:08.277 --> 00:08:11.347
- Lie number two of bad grace says,
- 00:08:11.347 --> 00:08:13.616
- Grace means i can cheat without any consequences whatsoever.
- 00:08:13.616 --> 00:08:18.588
- Have you ever heard people say,
- 00:08:18.588 --> 00:08:20.222
- "well, god doesn't grade sin,
- 00:08:20.222 --> 00:08:22.858
- Or all sin is sin in god's eyes,
- 00:08:22.858 --> 00:08:26.128
- Or the sin of gossip is just as bad as the sin of adultery?"
- 00:08:26.128 --> 00:08:30.499
- Have you ever heard people say things like that?
- 00:08:30.499 --> 00:08:33.235
- Well, while there's a measure of truth in that,
- 00:08:33.235 --> 00:08:35.771
- Yes, any sin is severe enough to disqualify us from heaven,
- 00:08:35.771 --> 00:08:39.575
- Both the bible and just everyday experience
- 00:08:39.575 --> 00:08:43.045
- Tells us not all sins are the same.
- 00:08:43.045 --> 00:08:45.615
- And that's certainly true when it comes to sexual sin.
- 00:08:45.615 --> 00:08:48.751
- In 1st corinthians 6:18, paul says,
- 00:08:48.751 --> 00:08:52.121
- "flee sexual immorality
- 00:08:52.121 --> 00:08:54.156
- Because every other sin a person commits,
- 00:08:54.156 --> 00:08:56.626
- He commits outside the body,
- 00:08:56.626 --> 00:08:58.594
- But the person who commits sexual sin
- 00:08:58.594 --> 00:09:01.230
- Sins against his own body."
- 00:09:01.230 --> 00:09:03.332
- There is something different about sexual sin.
- 00:09:03.332 --> 00:09:08.671
- We just know from personal experience
- 00:09:09.505 --> 00:09:11.107
- That not all sins are the same.
- 00:09:11.107 --> 00:09:13.075
- Jesus said, remember in the sermon on the mount,
- 00:09:13.075 --> 00:09:15.511
- That to hate somebody is the same as to murder somebody.
- 00:09:15.511 --> 00:09:18.781
- He said that.
- 00:09:18.781 --> 00:09:20.650
- But do you know anybody who's gone to the gas chamber
- 00:09:20.650 --> 00:09:22.785
- For hating another person?
- 00:09:22.785 --> 00:09:25.121
- No. there are different consequences.
- 00:09:25.121 --> 00:09:28.891
- It's the same way with sexual immorality.
- 00:09:28.891 --> 00:09:31.861
- A married woman who fantasizes about a good looking guy
- 00:09:31.861 --> 00:09:36.065
- She sees at the gym,
- 00:09:36.065 --> 00:09:37.900
- That's adultery according to jesus.
- 00:09:38.668 --> 00:09:42.238
- But it doesn't have the same consequence
- 00:09:42.238 --> 00:09:44.040
- As a man who's having a torrid affair with his secretary.
- 00:09:44.040 --> 00:09:49.378
- That has much more devastating consequences.
- 00:09:50.312 --> 00:09:54.150
- There's a difference between sins
- 00:09:54.150 --> 00:09:58.054
- And you see that especially in the life of king david.
- 00:09:58.054 --> 00:10:02.958
- Remember his story in 2nd samuel chapter 12.
- 00:10:02.958 --> 00:10:06.462
- He was at the zenith of his kingdom and kingship.
- 00:10:06.462 --> 00:10:11.233
- He was having one success after another,
- 00:10:11.233 --> 00:10:14.737
- And one spring night when love
- 00:10:14.737 --> 00:10:17.773
- And lust were in the air,
- 00:10:17.773 --> 00:10:19.208
- Instead of being out with his men fighting
- 00:10:19.208 --> 00:10:21.143
- Like he was supposed to be,
- 00:10:21.143 --> 00:10:22.745
- He stayed back, decided to relax a little bit.
- 00:10:22.745 --> 00:10:25.648
- And as he looked out his bedroom window,
- 00:10:25.648 --> 00:10:27.917
- He noticed a beautiful woman
- 00:10:27.917 --> 00:10:29.985
- Bathing on the rooftop next door.
- 00:10:29.985 --> 00:10:32.922
- Her name was bathsheba.
- 00:10:32.922 --> 00:10:34.990
- And he thought,
- 00:10:34.990 --> 00:10:35.825
- "i'm the king.
- 00:10:35.825 --> 00:10:37.393
- It's good to be the king. i can do whatever i want to."
- 00:10:37.393 --> 00:10:41.997
- He thought,
- 00:10:42.331 --> 00:10:43.933
- "for all i've done for god, i deserve a little bit of fun.
- 00:10:43.933 --> 00:10:47.069
- The same rules that apply
- 00:10:47.069 --> 00:10:48.337
- To everybody else don't apply to me."
- 00:10:48.337 --> 00:10:50.673
- And he summoned for bathsheba to come to him.
- 00:10:50.673 --> 00:10:53.542
- And the rest, as they say, is history.
- 00:10:53.542 --> 00:10:56.245
- That night after their interaction,
- 00:10:56.245 --> 00:10:58.881
- She conceived a child,
- 00:10:58.881 --> 00:11:01.117
- And when it became known what had happened,
- 00:11:01.117 --> 00:11:04.186
- David had bathsheba's husband, uriah,
- 00:11:04.186 --> 00:11:07.323
- Murdered on the front lines.
- 00:11:07.323 --> 00:11:09.358
- It was one of the greatest scandals in history.
- 00:11:09.358 --> 00:11:12.027
- And for a year, david refused to acknowledge his sin.
- 00:11:12.027 --> 00:11:15.798
- But finally nathan convicted him of his sin
- 00:11:15.798 --> 00:11:19.068
- And david finally after a year's time repented of his sin
- 00:11:19.068 --> 00:11:23.439
- And he asked for god's forgiveness
- 00:11:23.439 --> 00:11:25.508
- In one of the most beautiful passages in the bible.
- 00:11:25.508 --> 00:11:29.311
- He told of that experience in psalm 51:1-2, he said,
- 00:11:29.311 --> 00:11:33.482
- "be gracious to me, oh god,
- 00:11:33.482 --> 00:11:35.651
- According to your loving kindness,
- 00:11:35.651 --> 00:11:38.320
- According to the greatness of your compassion,
- 00:11:38.320 --> 00:11:40.723
- Blot out my transgressions,
- 00:11:40.723 --> 00:11:43.225
- Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
- 00:11:43.225 --> 00:11:45.461
- Cleanse me from my sin."
- 00:11:45.461 --> 00:11:47.863
- Did god answer that prayer?
- 00:11:47.863 --> 00:11:49.565
- You bet he did.
- 00:11:49.565 --> 00:11:51.267
- In psalm 32:1-2,
- 00:11:51.267 --> 00:11:53.169
- David talked about the relief he found
- 00:11:53.169 --> 00:11:55.604
- When he experienced god's forgiveness.
- 00:11:55.604 --> 00:11:58.073
- David wrote,
- 00:11:58.073 --> 00:11:59.275
- "how blessed is the one whose transgression
- 00:11:59.275 --> 00:12:01.443
- Is forgiven, whose sin is covered?
- 00:12:01.443 --> 00:12:05.080
- How blessed is the man
- 00:12:05.080 --> 00:12:06.515
- To whom the lord does not impute iniquity,
- 00:12:06.515 --> 00:12:09.084
- And in whose spirit there is no deceit?"
- 00:12:09.084 --> 00:12:13.022
- Paul quoted that passage in romans 4
- 00:12:13.022 --> 00:12:16.625
- When he talked about what christ does for us.
- 00:12:16.625 --> 00:12:20.296
- When we ask god for his forgiveness through christ,
- 00:12:20.296 --> 00:12:23.599
- Through the blood of the cross, our sin is wiped away.
- 00:12:23.599 --> 00:12:27.303
- God no longer imputes our sin to us.
- 00:12:27.303 --> 00:12:30.206
- That means he no longer debits our account for our sin.
- 00:12:30.206 --> 00:12:35.010
- Instead, he took the punishment we deserve
- 00:12:35.010 --> 00:12:37.680
- And he placed it on the cross of jesus christ
- 00:12:37.680 --> 00:12:40.349
- Where jesus paid it in full.
- 00:12:40.349 --> 00:12:42.484
- And the moment we trust in christ for our forgiveness,
- 00:12:42.484 --> 00:12:46.088
- Our sins are forgiven.
- 00:12:46.088 --> 00:12:48.023
- They are forgotten forever.
- 00:12:48.023 --> 00:12:50.259
- That is the good news of the gospel.
- 00:12:50.259 --> 00:12:52.761
- And i want to say to you today, if you're here,
- 00:12:52.761 --> 00:12:55.231
- If you're watching,
- 00:12:55.231 --> 00:12:56.565
- It doesn't matter what sin you've committed
- 00:12:56.565 --> 00:12:58.701
- Or how long you've committed it,
- 00:12:58.701 --> 00:13:00.369
- If you truly ask for god's forgiveness through christ,
- 00:13:00.369 --> 00:13:03.706
- He will grant you that forgiveness.
- 00:13:03.706 --> 00:13:06.942
- But what i want you to see here
- 00:13:06.942 --> 00:13:08.510
- Is that forgiveness did not erase the consequences
- 00:13:08.510 --> 00:13:13.782
- That david had to experience.
- 00:13:14.416 --> 00:13:17.119
- He spent the rest of his life suffering the consequences
- 00:13:17.119 --> 00:13:20.055
- Of that mistake,
- 00:13:20.055 --> 00:13:21.357
- Those consequences included a dead child
- 00:13:21.357 --> 00:13:24.493
- That bathsheba gave birth to.
- 00:13:24.493 --> 00:13:27.196
- It included a disloyal son, absalom,
- 00:13:27.196 --> 00:13:29.865
- Who led a rebellion against his own dad.
- 00:13:29.865 --> 00:13:32.334
- It resulted in a divided nation.
- 00:13:32.334 --> 00:13:35.304
- All of those were the consequences of sin.
- 00:13:35.304 --> 00:13:40.109
- You see, bad grace, again,
- 00:13:40.109 --> 00:13:42.745
- Assumes that god, when he forgives us,
- 00:13:42.745 --> 00:13:46.282
- Just automatically erases the consequences of our sin.
- 00:13:46.282 --> 00:13:50.085
- Well, if god's forgiven me of sexual immorality,
- 00:13:50.085 --> 00:13:52.922
- Then doesn't that mean he ought to heal
- 00:13:52.922 --> 00:13:55.658
- Any sexually transmitted diseases i have?
- 00:13:55.658 --> 00:13:58.460
- Doesn't that mean he's obligated
- 00:13:58.460 --> 00:14:00.095
- To rebuild my broken marriage?
- 00:14:00.095 --> 00:14:02.031
- Doesn't it mean he needs to restore my damaged reputation?
- 00:14:02.031 --> 00:14:05.501
- No. no.
- 00:14:05.501 --> 00:14:07.269
- God forgives us of the eternal consequences of our sin,
- 00:14:07.269 --> 00:14:11.206
- But those temporal consequences continue.
- 00:14:11.206 --> 00:14:15.344
- Bad grace says,
- 00:14:15.344 --> 00:14:16.478
- "i can cheat in my marriage,
- 00:14:16.478 --> 00:14:18.981
- But grace covers it all
- 00:14:18.981 --> 00:14:20.416
- And relieves me of consequences."
- 00:14:20.416 --> 00:14:22.318
- By contrast.
- 00:14:22.318 --> 00:14:23.652
- Look at three principles about good grace
- 00:14:23.652 --> 00:14:26.055
- We find in the scripture.
- 00:14:26.055 --> 00:14:27.556
- First of all, good grace conditions god's forgiveness
- 00:14:27.556 --> 00:14:32.828
- Upon our repentance.
- 00:14:33.295 --> 00:14:34.897
- Yes, god's forgiveness is available if we repent.
- 00:14:34.897 --> 00:14:39.368
- Again in psalm 51:17,
- 00:14:39.368 --> 00:14:41.403
- "the sacrifices of god are a broken spirit;
- 00:14:41.403 --> 00:14:45.674
- A broken and contrite a heart, oh god,
- 00:14:45.674 --> 00:14:48.310
- You will not despise."
- 00:14:48.310 --> 00:14:52.648
- Good grace recognizes the simple but overlooked truth:
- 00:14:53.749 --> 00:14:58.253
- God is willing to forgive if we are willing to ask.
- 00:14:58.253 --> 00:15:03.759
- We have to ask first for the forgiveness.
- 00:15:04.626 --> 00:15:07.796
- And coupled with that asking is repentance.
- 00:15:07.796 --> 00:15:12.167
- Repentance simply means a change of mind
- 00:15:13.035 --> 00:15:16.405
- That leads to a change of direction.
- 00:15:16.405 --> 00:15:20.175
- If you are not willing to let go of that sin in your life
- 00:15:21.343 --> 00:15:24.880
- That you're asking forgiveness from,
- 00:15:24.880 --> 00:15:27.416
- Don't expect to be forgiven.
- 00:15:27.416 --> 00:15:30.085
- God demands heartfelt contrition and repentance.
- 00:15:31.086 --> 00:15:35.958
- Doug was a professing christian.
- 00:15:36.592 --> 00:15:39.128
- He had been in a long-term affair
- 00:15:39.128 --> 00:15:41.263
- With his best friend's wife.
- 00:15:41.263 --> 00:15:43.665
- He went to see his pastor one day and he said,
- 00:15:43.665 --> 00:15:46.535
- "pastor, i'm involved in this relationship,
- 00:15:46.535 --> 00:15:49.772
- And i occasionally feel a pang of guilt about it.
- 00:15:49.772 --> 00:15:55.110
- And i'm just wondering if god will forgive me
- 00:15:56.045 --> 00:15:58.847
- Of what i'm doing."
- 00:15:58.847 --> 00:16:00.682
- Doug made it very clear he had no intention
- 00:16:01.583 --> 00:16:03.519
- Of giving up the affair,
- 00:16:03.519 --> 00:16:05.154
- But he wanted to know,
- 00:16:05.154 --> 00:16:06.555
- Can god forgive me of what i'm doing right now?
- 00:16:06.555 --> 00:16:09.124
- Pastor didn't say anything except asked doug
- 00:16:10.059 --> 00:16:12.861
- To turn in his bible to matthew 18:8-9,
- 00:16:12.861 --> 00:16:16.198
- And he asked doug to read those verses aloud.
- 00:16:17.099 --> 00:16:20.436
- Remember jesus words?
- 00:16:20.436 --> 00:16:22.137
- "and if your hand or foot causes you to stumble,
- 00:16:22.137 --> 00:16:25.641
- Cut it off and throw it far from you.
- 00:16:25.641 --> 00:16:29.611
- It is better for you to enter life crippled
- 00:16:29.611 --> 00:16:31.680
- Or lame than having two hands or two feet
- 00:16:31.680 --> 00:16:34.349
- To be cast into the eternal fire.
- 00:16:34.349 --> 00:16:37.219
- And if your eye causes you to stumble,
- 00:16:37.219 --> 00:16:39.755
- Pluck it out and throw it from you.
- 00:16:39.755 --> 00:16:42.224
- It is better for you to enter life
- 00:16:42.224 --> 00:16:44.259
- With one eye than having two eyes
- 00:16:44.259 --> 00:16:46.662
- To be cast into the fiery hell."
- 00:16:46.662 --> 00:16:50.065
- And then the pastor said,
- 00:16:50.632 --> 00:16:51.567
- "doug, jesus says,
- 00:16:51.567 --> 00:16:53.569
- Unless you are willing to resist this relationship
- 00:16:53.569 --> 00:16:56.572
- With every ounce of strength you have,
- 00:16:56.572 --> 00:16:59.041
- You have no hope of going to heaven."
- 00:16:59.041 --> 00:17:03.378
- You say, "pastor, that's pretty severe.
- 00:17:04.246 --> 00:17:07.116
- That's pretty severe."
- 00:17:07.116 --> 00:17:08.717
- No more severe than what jesus said.
- 00:17:08.717 --> 00:17:10.586
- It'd be better to cut off your hand
- 00:17:10.586 --> 00:17:12.121
- Or pluck out your eye than continue to sin
- 00:17:12.121 --> 00:17:15.724
- And face the judgment of god.
- 00:17:15.724 --> 00:17:19.194
- God offers no hope of forgiveness of those who refuse
- 00:17:20.262 --> 00:17:24.867
- To repent to turn away from their sin.
- 00:17:24.867 --> 00:17:28.070
- That's what good grace teaches.
- 00:17:28.070 --> 00:17:30.072
- Secondly, good grace emphasizes the consequences
- 00:17:30.072 --> 00:17:34.576
- Of disobedience.
- 00:17:34.576 --> 00:17:36.111
- Good grace emphasizes the consequences of disobedience.
- 00:17:36.111 --> 00:17:41.016
- You may not realize this,
- 00:17:41.016 --> 00:17:42.217
- But one of the byproducts of david
- 00:17:42.217 --> 00:17:44.620
- And bathsheba's illicit relationship
- 00:17:44.620 --> 00:17:47.723
- After the dead child was another child, a son.
- 00:17:47.723 --> 00:17:50.959
- His name was solomon.
- 00:17:50.959 --> 00:17:52.694
- King solomon was the byproduct of david and bathsheba,
- 00:17:52.694 --> 00:17:56.498
- So he had a front row seat to view the consequences
- 00:17:56.498 --> 00:18:00.569
- That david spent the rest of his life experiencing
- 00:18:00.569 --> 00:18:03.105
- Because of his sin.
- 00:18:03.105 --> 00:18:04.139
- And that's why solomon,
- 00:18:04.139 --> 00:18:06.141
- Even though he didn't follow his own advice many times,
- 00:18:06.141 --> 00:18:09.144
- Warned about the dangers of adultery,
- 00:18:09.144 --> 00:18:12.047
- The destructive power of adultery.
- 00:18:12.047 --> 00:18:15.050
- Throughout the book of proverbs,
- 00:18:15.050 --> 00:18:16.318
- You find so many warnings about adultery.
- 00:18:16.318 --> 00:18:19.021
- In proverbs 6:32-33, solomon said,
- 00:18:19.021 --> 00:18:22.925
- "the one who commits adultery
- 00:18:22.925 --> 00:18:24.960
- With a woman is lacking sense.
- 00:18:24.960 --> 00:18:28.130
- He who would destroy himself does it,
- 00:18:28.130 --> 00:18:30.766
- Wounds and disgrace he will find,
- 00:18:30.766 --> 00:18:33.435
- And his reproach will not be blotted out."
- 00:18:33.435 --> 00:18:37.873
- Later, solomon would add,
- 00:18:37.873 --> 00:18:39.975
- "the way of the transgressor is hard."
- 00:18:39.975 --> 00:18:43.645
- If we're going to understand grace,
- 00:18:43.645 --> 00:18:45.480
- We have to emphasize the consequences of disobedience.
- 00:18:45.480 --> 00:18:50.219
- Third and finally,
- 00:18:50.219 --> 00:18:51.687
- Good grace affirms the benefits of forgiveness.
- 00:18:51.687 --> 00:18:55.891
- Even though we're talking about consequences,
- 00:18:55.891 --> 00:18:58.560
- We always want to emphasize god's willingness to forgive.
- 00:18:58.560 --> 00:19:03.065
- Psalm 103:12-14,
- 00:19:03.065 --> 00:19:05.701
- "as far as the east is from the west,
- 00:19:05.701 --> 00:19:08.370
- So far god has removed our transgressions from us.
- 00:19:08.370 --> 00:19:12.207
- Just as a father has compassion on his children,
- 00:19:12.207 --> 00:19:15.310
- So the lord has compassion on those who fear him,
- 00:19:15.310 --> 00:19:19.314
- For he himself knows our frame.
- 00:19:19.314 --> 00:19:22.985
- He is mindful that we are but dust."
- 00:19:22.985 --> 00:19:25.554
- Isn't that great?
- 00:19:25.554 --> 00:19:26.989
- Even when you mess up, god has compassion.
- 00:19:26.989 --> 00:19:30.759
- He understands your limitations and he's willing to forgive.
- 00:19:30.759 --> 00:19:35.163
- Now, some of you may be saying,
- 00:19:35.163 --> 00:19:36.498
- "well, pastor, this is confusing to me.
- 00:19:36.498 --> 00:19:39.401
- What am i supposed to focus on?
- 00:19:40.035 --> 00:19:42.170
- God's forgiveness or the consequences of sin,
- 00:19:42.170 --> 00:19:46.041
- Which is it: forgiveness or consequences?"
- 00:19:46.041 --> 00:19:48.777
- Well, it depends if you're on the front end
- 00:19:48.777 --> 00:19:51.747
- Or back end of sinning.
- 00:19:51.747 --> 00:19:53.682
- For example, say a friend at your workplace said to you,
- 00:19:54.816 --> 00:19:58.186
- "i'm thinking about embezzling $5,000 from our company."
- 00:19:59.321 --> 00:20:02.224
- What do you think about that?
- 00:20:02.224 --> 00:20:04.526
- Would you quote a psalm 103?
- 00:20:04.526 --> 00:20:06.361
- "well, as far as the east is from the west,
- 00:20:06.361 --> 00:20:09.031
- So far god will remove your transgressions from you."
- 00:20:09.031 --> 00:20:12.668
- Would you emphasize god's forgiveness?
- 00:20:12.668 --> 00:20:14.569
- No.
- 00:20:14.569 --> 00:20:16.104
- You'd talk to him about the consequences of what he's going
- 00:20:16.104 --> 00:20:18.106
- To experience if he violates god's law here.
- 00:20:18.106 --> 00:20:21.777
- However, let's say your friend embezzled the $5,000.
- 00:20:21.777 --> 00:20:25.180
- Got indicted, and convicted,
- 00:20:25.180 --> 00:20:26.648
- And is now at seagoville
- 00:20:26.648 --> 00:20:28.283
- And you go down to visit with him,
- 00:20:28.283 --> 00:20:30.752
- What would you emphasize: the consequences of his sin?
- 00:20:30.752 --> 00:20:34.523
- He doesn't need that.
- 00:20:34.523 --> 00:20:35.490
- He's already experiencing that.
- 00:20:35.490 --> 00:20:37.092
- You'd talk to him about god's forgiveness.
- 00:20:37.092 --> 00:20:40.629
- It's the same way with us.
- 00:20:40.629 --> 00:20:43.165
- Whether we talk about god's forgiveness or consequences
- 00:20:43.165 --> 00:20:46.735
- Depends on where we are in the sinning process.
- 00:20:46.735 --> 00:20:51.640
- Some people say,
- 00:20:51.640 --> 00:20:53.141
- "well, if i have to still experience consequences
- 00:20:53.141 --> 00:20:56.078
- For my sin, what use is god's forgiveness?
- 00:20:56.078 --> 00:20:59.114
- It's in kind of useless if i have to suffer consequences."
- 00:20:59.114 --> 00:21:02.417
- Oh, no, no.
- 00:21:02.417 --> 00:21:04.786
- Grace means instead of spending 30 or 40 years
- 00:21:05.687 --> 00:21:10.058
- Of suffering consequences,
- 00:21:10.625 --> 00:21:12.461
- You don't have to suffer 30 billion years
- 00:21:12.461 --> 00:21:14.863
- Of the consequences of your sin.
- 00:21:14.863 --> 00:21:17.099
- See, god's grace means you don't have to worry about hell.
- 00:21:17.099 --> 00:21:20.836
- It means you don't have to worry
- 00:21:20.836 --> 00:21:22.237
- About spending eternity suffering
- 00:21:22.237 --> 00:21:24.573
- The consequences of your sin.
- 00:21:24.573 --> 00:21:26.875
- 30 or 40 years beats 30 billion years
- 00:21:26.875 --> 00:21:29.845
- Of suffering consequences.
- 00:21:29.845 --> 00:21:32.547
- But here's what i want you to understand.
- 00:21:32.547 --> 00:21:34.149
- Some of you right now are experiencing
- 00:21:34.149 --> 00:21:36.351
- These consequences of mistakes
- 00:21:36.351 --> 00:21:38.954
- You have asked forgiveness for a long time ago,
- 00:21:38.954 --> 00:21:43.058
- And maybe you're a little bit irritated at god.
- 00:21:43.058 --> 00:21:45.894
- God, why don't you erase these consequences?
- 00:21:45.894 --> 00:21:49.698
- May i suggest to you that the consequences
- 00:21:49.698 --> 00:21:52.801
- You still experience every day
- 00:21:52.801 --> 00:21:55.036
- Are a sign of god's grace and love for you.
- 00:21:55.937 --> 00:21:59.674
- Think about those consequences
- 00:22:00.308 --> 00:22:02.244
- As an electric fence god has built around your life.
- 00:22:02.244 --> 00:22:06.448
- Anytime you're attempted to stray again
- 00:22:06.448 --> 00:22:09.284
- Or get outside of god's word,
- 00:22:09.284 --> 00:22:11.286
- It's like you go up against that electrified fence and
- 00:22:11.286 --> 00:22:14.389
- (robert buzzing)
- 00:22:14.389 --> 00:22:15.857
- Better move back.
- 00:22:15.857 --> 00:22:19.161
- By the way, that's not original with me.
- 00:22:17.392 --> 00:22:21.930
- David said the same thing about his consequences.
- 00:22:21.930 --> 00:22:24.866
- In psalm 119:67, he said,
- 00:22:24.866 --> 00:22:28.203
- "before i was afflicted, i went astray,
- 00:22:28.203 --> 00:22:32.741
- But now i keep your word."
- 00:22:32.741 --> 00:22:36.578
- Those consequences that david experienced every moment
- 00:22:36.578 --> 00:22:39.481
- Of his life until he went to heaven
- 00:22:39.481 --> 00:22:41.550
- Were a source of grace for him.
- 00:22:42.184 --> 00:22:44.653
- He said,
- 00:22:44.653 --> 00:22:45.787
- "there are a reminder, god,
- 00:22:45.787 --> 00:22:47.122
- That i never want to go where i was before.
- 00:22:47.122 --> 00:22:49.191
- I want to do your will."
- 00:22:49.191 --> 00:22:51.927
- Bad grace says, we can sin lasting consequences.
- 00:22:52.894 --> 00:22:57.866
- Good grace recognizes that all sins are forgivable,
- 00:22:58.867 --> 00:23:01.736
- But the effects of adultery continue long
- 00:23:01.736 --> 00:23:04.773
- After god has pronounced us forgiven.
- 00:23:04.773 --> 00:23:07.542
- Today we looked at two lies about grace and marriage.
- 00:23:08.643 --> 00:23:11.913
- I can marry whomever i want,
- 00:23:11.913 --> 00:23:14.349
- I can cheat without lasting consequences.
- 00:23:14.349 --> 00:23:17.419
- Next time we're going to look at the final why
- 00:23:17.419 --> 00:23:19.955
- That deals with the finality of marriage.
- 00:23:19.955 --> 00:23:23.258
- It's the lie you find even among christians today that says,
- 00:23:23.258 --> 00:23:27.295
- I can end my marriage anytime i choose.
- 00:23:27.295 --> 00:23:32.000
- ♪ music ♪
- 00:23:32.000 --> 00:23:36.671
- These are difficult issues to grapple with,
- 00:23:37.572 --> 00:23:40.175
- But wise are those who understand depth
- 00:23:40.175 --> 00:23:43.078
- And breadth of god's grace even when it hurts.
- 00:23:43.078 --> 00:23:47.182
- In closing today,
- 00:23:47.182 --> 00:23:48.283
- I want to share an encouraging note
- 00:23:48.283 --> 00:23:50.352
- I received from greg in arizona.
- 00:23:50.352 --> 00:23:52.053
- Greg wrote,
- 00:23:52.053 --> 00:23:53.388
- "pastor jeffress, i'm a born again christian,
- 00:23:53.388 --> 00:23:56.024
- But after walking with god for 15 years,
- 00:23:56.024 --> 00:23:58.460
- I chose to turn away.
- 00:23:58.460 --> 00:24:00.395
- As a result, the joy in my life was gone.
- 00:24:00.395 --> 00:24:03.598
- After reading your book,
- 00:24:03.598 --> 00:24:04.933
- I decided to face my shortcomings,
- 00:24:04.933 --> 00:24:07.536
- And god once again reached out and touched me
- 00:24:07.536 --> 00:24:10.672
- And set my feet on the path back home to him."
- 00:24:10.672 --> 00:24:14.376
- Well, that's fantastic, greg.
- 00:24:14.376 --> 00:24:16.378
- And this is the very reason "pathway to victory" exists.
- 00:24:16.378 --> 00:24:19.881
- Every day as this program goes out over television, radio,
- 00:24:19.881 --> 00:24:23.485
- And online,
- 00:24:23.485 --> 00:24:24.753
- We ask god to shine his light in the dark places
- 00:24:24.753 --> 00:24:28.023
- Of our world so that people like greg will come back home.
- 00:24:28.023 --> 00:24:32.327
- So thank you to our pathway partners,
- 00:24:32.327 --> 00:24:34.496
- And everyone who supports "pathway to victory."
- 00:24:34.496 --> 00:24:37.599
- Together we are making an eternal difference.
- 00:24:37.599 --> 00:24:40.902
- Now, please stay right there,
- 00:24:40.902 --> 00:24:42.237
- I'll be back with more "pathway to victory"
- 00:24:42.237 --> 00:24:44.806
- In just a moment.
- 00:24:44.806 --> 00:24:46.875
- The bible tells us we're saved by grace,
- 00:24:47.742 --> 00:24:50.412
- But do you allow yourself to receive grace?
- 00:24:50.412 --> 00:24:53.949
- Do you practice grace?
- 00:24:53.949 --> 00:24:55.517
- Do you abuse god's grace?
- 00:24:55.517 --> 00:24:57.752
- In "grace gone wild,"
- 00:24:57.752 --> 00:24:59.154
- Dr. robert jeffress clears up the confusion
- 00:24:59.154 --> 00:25:01.890
- And shows you how grace leads to joy, not guilt.
- 00:25:01.890 --> 00:25:05.360
- Christians fall into one of two traps
- 00:25:05.360 --> 00:25:07.629
- When it comes to grace.
- 00:25:07.629 --> 00:25:09.230
- Some believe grace means there are no boundaries in living.
- 00:25:09.230 --> 00:25:13.034
- Others pile on so many rules that christianity
- 00:25:13.034 --> 00:25:16.137
- Feels like a burden instead of a blessing.
- 00:25:16.137 --> 00:25:19.374
- In my book, "grace gone wild,"
- 00:25:19.374 --> 00:25:20.976
- I'll show you that true grace leads to a deeper,
- 00:25:20.976 --> 00:25:24.746
- More joy-filled relationship with god.
- 00:25:24.746 --> 00:25:27.949
- Discover how understanding grace
- 00:25:27.949 --> 00:25:30.018
- Can transform your marriage, your relationships,
- 00:25:30.018 --> 00:25:32.854
- And every decision you make.
- 00:25:32.854 --> 00:25:34.856
- Request your copy of "grace gone wild"
- 00:25:34.856 --> 00:25:37.359
- When you give a generous gift to "pathway to victory."
- 00:25:37.359 --> 00:25:40.662
- And when your ministry gift is $75 or more,
- 00:25:40.662 --> 00:25:44.232
- We'll also send you the "grace gone wild"
- 00:25:44.232 --> 00:25:46.735
- Teaching series on both cd and dvd,
- 00:25:46.735 --> 00:25:49.938
- Along with the application guide.
- 00:25:49.938 --> 00:25:52.107
- There are too many christians today
- 00:25:52.107 --> 00:25:53.908
- Who have taken this marvelous gift of grace
- 00:25:53.908 --> 00:25:57.345
- And perverted it.
- 00:25:57.345 --> 00:25:58.980
- They are robbing themselves of the joy
- 00:25:58.980 --> 00:26:01.516
- That comes from obedience to god.
- 00:26:01.516 --> 00:26:04.419
- Thank you for your generous support
- 00:26:04.419 --> 00:26:06.588
- Of "pathway to victory."
- 00:26:06.588 --> 00:26:08.223
- Your gift helps us bring bold,
- 00:26:08.223 --> 00:26:09.991
- Biblical teaching around the world.
- 00:26:09.991 --> 00:26:11.860
- Together we are piercing the darkness
- 00:26:11.860 --> 00:26:14.195
- With the light of god's word.
- 00:26:14.195 --> 00:26:17.165
- ♪ music ♪
- 00:26:17.499 --> 00:26:19.167
- God's grace isn't a free pass.
- 00:26:19.167 --> 00:26:21.569
- Good grace calls us to take god's design
- 00:26:21.569 --> 00:26:24.139
- For marriage seriously.
- 00:26:24.139 --> 00:26:26.207
- And in this message,
- 00:26:26.207 --> 00:26:27.776
- We've seen exactly what that looks like from whom we marry
- 00:26:27.776 --> 00:26:31.046
- To how we honor our vows.
- 00:26:31.046 --> 00:26:33.114
- And next time we'll tackle
- 00:26:33.114 --> 00:26:34.683
- One of the most controversial topics in the church today:
- 00:26:34.683 --> 00:26:37.986
- Divorce.
- 00:26:37.986 --> 00:26:39.154
- What does the bible really say
- 00:26:39.154 --> 00:26:41.089
- About when it's permissible
- 00:26:41.089 --> 00:26:42.824
- And when it's not permissible to divorce?
- 00:26:42.824 --> 00:26:45.860
- Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next
- 00:26:45.860 --> 00:26:48.229
- In our series, "grace gone wild."
- 00:26:48.229 --> 00:26:52.100
- Grace is not a magic wand
- 00:26:52.667 --> 00:26:54.736
- That automatically heals a broken relationship
- 00:26:54.736 --> 00:26:58.139
- Because of adultery.
- 00:26:58.139 --> 00:26:59.808
- It's forgivable, but the consequences continue.
- 00:26:59.808 --> 00:27:03.445
- Bad grace says,
- 00:27:03.445 --> 00:27:05.547
- I am free to divorce if i am unhappy.
- 00:27:05.547 --> 00:27:09.317
- If i'm unhappy in my relationship,
- 00:27:09.317 --> 00:27:11.920
- Grace gives me the freedom to divorce.
- 00:27:11.920 --> 00:27:15.824
- Set your dvr and join us next time for the message,
- 00:27:15.824 --> 00:27:19.127
- Good grace and divorce here on "pathway to victory."
- 00:27:19.127 --> 00:27:22.664
- ♪ music ♪
- 00:27:22.664 --> 00:27:22.664
