Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - The Grace Escape

April 7, 2026 | 27:29

Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.

#WordofGod #Grace #Disobedience #Truth #Divorce #Judgement #RobertJeffress

Closed captions

Show Timecode

Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - The Grace Escape | April 7, 2026

Join us on the "pathway to victory" cruise to alaska,
00:00:00.790 --> 00:00:03.793
June 13th through 20, 2026.
00:00:03.793 --> 00:00:06.663
Let me paint a picture for you.
00:00:06.663 --> 00:00:08.531
You're standing on the deck
00:00:08.531 --> 00:00:10.200
Of a beautiful cruise ship, coffee in hand,
00:00:10.200 --> 00:00:13.136
Watching a glacier calve into the pristine waters
00:00:13.136 --> 00:00:16.673
While bald eagles circle overhead.
00:00:16.673 --> 00:00:19.609
That's going to be us this coming june.
00:00:19.609 --> 00:00:22.312
You've got to see alaska with your own eyes to believe it.
00:00:22.312 --> 00:00:25.882
Seven days of pure luxury
00:00:25.882 --> 00:00:27.817
Where every meal is prepared for you.
00:00:27.817 --> 00:00:30.120
The world-class service
00:00:30.120 --> 00:00:31.387
Means you never have to think about the details.
00:00:31.387 --> 00:00:34.057
Instead, you can focus on casual conversations
00:00:34.057 --> 00:00:37.293
With like-minded christians,
00:00:37.293 --> 00:00:39.195
Laughing, telling stories
00:00:39.195 --> 00:00:40.897
While surrounded by god's breathtaking creation.
00:00:40.897 --> 00:00:44.033
This is purposeful travel at its finest,
00:00:44.033 --> 00:00:47.337
Refreshing your soul
00:00:47.337 --> 00:00:48.872
In god's stunning cathedral of natural wonders.
00:00:48.872 --> 00:00:52.942
Call 888-280-6747
00:00:52.942 --> 00:00:56.379
Or visit ptv.org
00:00:56.379 --> 00:01:00.083
♪ music ♪
00:01:00.416 --> 00:01:06.089
From the pulpit of the first baptist church
00:01:06.990 --> 00:01:09.125
Of dallas, texas.
00:01:09.125 --> 00:01:10.627
This is "pathway to victory" with dr. robert jeffress.
00:01:10.627 --> 00:01:14.230
Hi robert jeffress and welcome again
00:01:15.031 --> 00:01:17.133
To "pathway to victory."
00:01:17.133 --> 00:01:18.801
Few pastors can make it through a sermon
00:01:18.801 --> 00:01:20.770
Without mentioning god's grace.
00:01:20.770 --> 00:01:22.672
And for good reason.
00:01:22.672 --> 00:01:24.340
The doctrine of grace is absolutely central to christianity.
00:01:24.340 --> 00:01:28.344
But for as much time as pastors spend talking about grace,
00:01:28.344 --> 00:01:32.248
Few christians understand what grace really means.
00:01:32.248 --> 00:01:36.152
Today, we're beginning a series titled "grace gone wild"
00:01:36.152 --> 00:01:40.690
And we're kicking things off
00:01:40.690 --> 00:01:42.425
By examining the biblical definition of grace.
00:01:42.425 --> 00:01:45.895
My message is titled "the grace escape"
00:01:45.895 --> 00:01:49.632
On today's edition of "pathway to victory."
00:01:49.632 --> 00:01:53.002
♪ music ♪
00:01:53.002 --> 00:01:59.142
Some christians use grace
00:01:59.709 --> 00:02:00.910
As a spiritual get-out-of-jail-free card.
00:02:00.910 --> 00:02:03.780
Others pile on so many rules,
00:02:03.780 --> 00:02:06.049
They have no grace for themselves or others.
00:02:06.049 --> 00:02:08.718
In "grace gone wild" dr. robert jeffress
00:02:08.718 --> 00:02:11.621
Shows you what biblical grace actually looks like
00:02:11.621 --> 00:02:14.591
And how practicing it leads to true freedom and lasting joy.
00:02:14.591 --> 00:02:18.361
Discover how grace can transform your marriage,
00:02:18.361 --> 00:02:20.730
Your relationships, and your walk with god.
00:02:20.730 --> 00:02:23.333
Request "grace gone wild"
00:02:23.333 --> 00:02:25.335
When you give a generous ministry gift
00:02:25.335 --> 00:02:27.337
To "pathway to victory."
00:02:27.337 --> 00:02:29.839
♪ music ♪
00:02:30.173 --> 00:02:36.412
Pastor stu weber relates a story
00:02:37.046 --> 00:02:40.783
About confronting a leader in his church
00:02:40.783 --> 00:02:43.987
Who was suspected of engaging in an extramarital affair.
00:02:43.987 --> 00:02:49.626
To his surprise, weber said, the man didn't deny it,
00:02:49.626 --> 00:02:54.797
He admitted the affair
00:02:54.797 --> 00:02:56.899
And he also voiced his plan to continue with the affair.
00:02:56.899 --> 00:03:01.537
He said, "i have not abandoned my face
00:03:01.537 --> 00:03:05.742
Even though through all this cynicism,
00:03:05.742 --> 00:03:09.045
I will one day return,
00:03:09.045 --> 00:03:11.481
Not to church and probably not to my wife,
00:03:11.481 --> 00:03:15.685
But i still love the lord and deeply cannot abandon him.
00:03:15.685 --> 00:03:20.957
I am in sin
00:03:21.291 --> 00:03:22.625
And i am taking advantage of grace."
00:03:22.625 --> 00:03:27.130
"for by grace we have been saved through faith," we recite.
00:03:28.264 --> 00:03:33.603
"amazing grace, how sweet the sound," we sing.
00:03:34.570 --> 00:03:37.640
"we live under grace, not under the law," we declare.
00:03:37.640 --> 00:03:42.145
Grace is a part of the vocabulary of every christian.
00:03:42.145 --> 00:03:47.450
Yet unfortunately, many christians
00:03:48.184 --> 00:03:49.352
Have taken this amazing gift of grace
00:03:49.352 --> 00:03:53.389
And they've perverted it.
00:03:53.389 --> 00:03:55.158
They've changed it into a license for immorality,
00:03:55.158 --> 00:03:59.028
For disobedience, for self-indulgence.
00:03:59.028 --> 00:04:02.031
And in the process they are robbing themselves
00:04:02.031 --> 00:04:05.401
Of the joy that comes from obedience to god.
00:04:05.401 --> 00:04:09.605
By the way, god's not the only one
00:04:09.605 --> 00:04:11.541
Who is being victimized by this perversion of grace.
00:04:11.541 --> 00:04:15.812
Perhaps you too have been on the receiving end
00:04:15.812 --> 00:04:19.382
Of what i call bad grace,
00:04:19.382 --> 00:04:22.318
A perversion of the truth of grace.
00:04:22.318 --> 00:04:25.621
A close friend perhaps
00:04:25.621 --> 00:04:27.857
Has been talking about you behind your back
00:04:27.857 --> 00:04:30.159
And you confess to somebody
00:04:30.159 --> 00:04:31.861
Your desire to confront him about doing that.
00:04:31.861 --> 00:04:34.330
But you're reminded
00:04:34.330 --> 00:04:35.465
That grace means turning the other cheek.
00:04:35.465 --> 00:04:39.168
Or let's imagine that you find out your maid
00:04:40.103 --> 00:04:41.938
Is engaged in an extramarital affair
00:04:41.938 --> 00:04:44.907
And you confront your maid, and through many tears,
00:04:44.907 --> 00:04:48.978
They confess that affair and promise to break it off.
00:04:48.978 --> 00:04:53.082
But months later you find out
00:04:53.082 --> 00:04:54.951
They're still engaged in that affair
00:04:54.951 --> 00:04:56.719
And you consider divorce
00:04:56.719 --> 00:04:59.122
And yet you're told grace means a willingness
00:04:59.122 --> 00:05:01.858
To forgive 70 times 7.
00:05:01.858 --> 00:05:06.028
Maybe you're on the leadership team of your church
00:05:06.028 --> 00:05:09.031
And you discover that another leader
00:05:09.031 --> 00:05:11.968
Has stolen money from the church
00:05:11.968 --> 00:05:14.370
And you want to remove that person
00:05:14.370 --> 00:05:16.406
From their place of leadership.
00:05:16.406 --> 00:05:18.040
But you're told that grace means an unwillingness to judge
00:05:18.040 --> 00:05:22.712
Lest you also be judged.
00:05:22.712 --> 00:05:25.982
All of these examples represent a perversion
00:05:25.982 --> 00:05:29.452
Of god's greatest gift to us: the gift of grace.
00:05:29.452 --> 00:05:34.190
And in the next few weeks we're going to open the bibles
00:05:34.190 --> 00:05:37.226
And see what the bible says about this gift of grace,
00:05:37.226 --> 00:05:41.164
How to use it,
00:05:41.164 --> 00:05:42.732
And how to keep from abusing it in every area of our life.
00:05:42.732 --> 00:05:47.370
But as we begin today,
00:05:47.870 --> 00:05:49.372
I think the starting place is to define what grace is.
00:05:49.372 --> 00:05:53.242
What is grace?
00:05:53.242 --> 00:05:55.011
One of my favorite stories
00:05:55.011 --> 00:05:56.546
That illustrates what grace really is
00:05:56.546 --> 00:05:59.449
Was told by the late pastor james montgomery boice,
00:05:59.449 --> 00:06:03.386
And he told the true story of a man named henry morehouse
00:06:03.386 --> 00:06:07.023
Who lived generations ago in a poor section of london.
00:06:07.023 --> 00:06:10.693
And one day morehouse was walking down the street
00:06:10.693 --> 00:06:13.296
When he saw a little girl about nine years old
00:06:13.296 --> 00:06:16.098
Carrying a pitcher of milk.
00:06:16.098 --> 00:06:18.568
The little girl tripped, the pitcher fell out of her arms
00:06:18.568 --> 00:06:23.005
And shattered on the pavement below
00:06:23.005 --> 00:06:25.341
And the milk spilled into the gutter
00:06:25.341 --> 00:06:27.710
And the girl began to cry
00:06:27.710 --> 00:06:30.012
And morehouse began to try to comfort her.
00:06:30.012 --> 00:06:32.815
And she said, "my mother's going to whip me.
00:06:32.815 --> 00:06:35.985
My mother will whip me."
00:06:35.985 --> 00:06:37.920
And morehouse said, "no she won't."
00:06:37.920 --> 00:06:39.789
"yes, my mother will whip me."
00:06:39.789 --> 00:06:42.225
And henry morehouse said,
00:06:42.225 --> 00:06:43.726
I decided to try to help her mend the broken pitcher.
00:06:43.726 --> 00:06:49.031
And when he said he would help her,
00:06:49.765 --> 00:06:51.300
She stopped crying and hope began to build in her heart.
00:06:51.300 --> 00:06:54.136
Maybe the pitcher could be fixed.
00:06:54.136 --> 00:06:56.138
But after several failed attempts,
00:06:56.138 --> 00:06:58.608
She began to cry all over again.
00:06:58.608 --> 00:07:00.943
Henry morehouse picked that little girl up into his arms
00:07:00.943 --> 00:07:04.313
And they went down to the local crockery
00:07:04.313 --> 00:07:06.749
And there bought her a brand-new pitcher.
00:07:06.749 --> 00:07:09.752
And then they went to the place
00:07:09.752 --> 00:07:11.153
Where she had gotten the milk
00:07:11.153 --> 00:07:12.522
And filled that pitcher up with milk.
00:07:12.522 --> 00:07:15.691
Henry morehouse said to the girl,
00:07:15.691 --> 00:07:17.159
"do you think your mommy's going to whip you now?"
00:07:17.159 --> 00:07:19.896
She said, "oh no, mister,
00:07:19.896 --> 00:07:22.031
Because this pitcher is far more beautiful
00:07:22.031 --> 00:07:24.667
Than the one we had."
00:07:24.667 --> 00:07:27.436
You know, that's a picture of what god has done for us.
00:07:27.436 --> 00:07:31.374
You and i were made in the image of god originally,
00:07:31.374 --> 00:07:35.945
But that image of god has been shattered because of sin.
00:07:35.945 --> 00:07:40.783
And there is nothing you and i can do together
00:07:40.783 --> 00:07:43.319
To put that image of god back together.
00:07:43.319 --> 00:07:46.756
It has been ruined by sin forever.
00:07:46.756 --> 00:07:50.326
No effort on our part can fix it.
00:07:50.326 --> 00:07:53.362
We can't respond to anything spiritually.
00:07:53.362 --> 00:07:56.966
And look at what he says in verse 3.
00:07:56.966 --> 00:07:58.801
"among them, the spiritually dead,
00:07:58.801 --> 00:08:00.836
We too all formerly lived in the lust of our flesh,
00:08:00.836 --> 00:08:04.874
Indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind.
00:08:04.874 --> 00:08:07.843
And we were by nature," underline that,
00:08:07.843 --> 00:08:10.379
"by nature, children of wrath even as the rest."
00:08:10.379 --> 00:08:14.750
Now think about this.
00:08:14.750 --> 00:08:16.118
Here we are born into this world separated from god
00:08:16.118 --> 00:08:19.789
Deserving of god's eternal wrath.
00:08:19.789 --> 00:08:21.958
And there's not one thing you or i could do to change that.
00:08:21.958 --> 00:08:25.828
We can't say, "you know,
00:08:25.828 --> 00:08:27.129
I don't think i want to live this way anymore.
00:08:27.129 --> 00:08:29.131
I think i'd like to choose god."
00:08:29.131 --> 00:08:31.067
We are dead spiritually.
00:08:31.067 --> 00:08:33.269
We can't respond to anything on our own.
00:08:33.269 --> 00:08:38.074
What is the hope out of our predicament?
00:08:38.074 --> 00:08:40.343
We're children of wrath, we're separated from god,
00:08:40.343 --> 00:08:43.245
We're spiritually dead.
00:08:43.245 --> 00:08:44.947
What's our hope? two words, verse 4, "but god."
00:08:44.947 --> 00:08:50.219
"but god."
00:08:50.519 --> 00:08:52.121
God is the one who took the initiative in your salvation.
00:08:52.121 --> 00:08:56.025
But god being rich in mercy
00:08:56.025 --> 00:08:59.695
Because of his great love with which he loved us.
00:08:59.695 --> 00:09:03.866
It's not that god looked down on you
00:09:03.866 --> 00:09:05.468
And said, "well, you know he's worth saving.
00:09:05.468 --> 00:09:07.269
This one's not worth saving. you're worth saving."
00:09:07.269 --> 00:09:09.839
No, there was no reason for god to choose to save you
00:09:09.839 --> 00:09:15.111
Other than the great love with which he loved you.
00:09:16.145 --> 00:09:18.681
Verse 5: "even when we were dead in our transgressions,
00:09:18.681 --> 00:09:22.818
He has made us alive together with christ,
00:09:22.818 --> 00:09:25.855
By grace, you have been saved."
00:09:25.855 --> 00:09:30.026
And to drive that point home in verse 8:
00:09:30.026 --> 00:09:31.861
"for by grace you have been saved through faith.
00:09:31.861 --> 00:09:35.998
You're not saved by faith.
00:09:35.998 --> 00:09:37.600
You're saved by god's grace that you receive through faith
00:09:37.600 --> 00:09:41.837
And that not of yourselves, it is a gift of god,
00:09:41.837 --> 00:09:44.874
Not of works lest anyone should boast.
00:09:44.874 --> 00:09:48.511
God's undeserved verse of generosity, grace."
00:09:48.511 --> 00:09:51.914
Go back to that little 9-year-old girl i told you about.
00:09:51.914 --> 00:09:55.217
Once henry morehouse gave her
00:09:55.851 --> 00:09:57.319
That new pitcher filled with milk,
00:09:57.319 --> 00:09:59.855
What do you think she did with it?
00:09:59.855 --> 00:10:01.691
Do you think on the way home
00:10:01.691 --> 00:10:02.892
She started tossing it in the air
00:10:02.892 --> 00:10:04.694
To see if she could catch it.
00:10:04.694 --> 00:10:06.462
Do you think she balanced it on her head thinking,
00:10:06.462 --> 00:10:08.664
"well, if it falls,
00:10:08.664 --> 00:10:09.932
I know a man who can buy me another one."
00:10:09.932 --> 00:10:12.668
No.
00:10:12.868 --> 00:10:13.903
I imagine she clutched that close to her chest.
00:10:13.903 --> 00:10:17.239
She cared for it, she took care of it
00:10:17.239 --> 00:10:20.476
Because it had been freely and unexpectedly given to her.
00:10:20.476 --> 00:10:25.281
That's what grace is. grace is truly amazing.
00:10:25.281 --> 00:10:28.718
And yet, even though there are christians
00:10:28.718 --> 00:10:30.686
Who have received this amazing gift of grace,
00:10:30.686 --> 00:10:34.190
Some have distorted it into something god never intended it.
00:10:34.190 --> 00:10:38.761
You know, it's a gift that is subject to abuse
00:10:38.761 --> 00:10:41.831
Either by those who would deny the existence of grace
00:10:41.831 --> 00:10:45.234
Or those who would distort its meaning.
00:10:45.234 --> 00:10:48.537
And i'd like to spend a moment
00:10:48.537 --> 00:10:50.005
To look at the two enemies of god's gift of grace.
00:10:50.005 --> 00:10:55.978
People go to one of two extremes
00:10:56.612 --> 00:10:59.515
In perverting this gift of grace.
00:10:59.515 --> 00:11:02.818
The first enemy of grace is legalism.
00:11:02.818 --> 00:11:07.189
Legalism.
00:11:07.189 --> 00:11:09.125
I love the story chuck swindoll tells
00:11:09.125 --> 00:11:12.394
About the guy who was out at dfw airport
00:11:12.394 --> 00:11:14.797
And he didn't have his watch on and he didn't have an iphone
00:11:14.797 --> 00:11:19.702
And he couldn't find a clock anywhere,
00:11:19.702 --> 00:11:21.203
But he had a feeling he was late for his flight.
00:11:21.203 --> 00:11:23.839
And so he stopped a stranger on the concourse.
00:11:23.839 --> 00:11:26.475
He said, "mister, could you tell me what time it is?"
00:11:26.475 --> 00:11:28.544
And the man said, "well, sure."
00:11:28.544 --> 00:11:30.446
He looked at his watch, he says,
00:11:30.446 --> 00:11:31.614
"it's 9:14 a.m., 73 degrees.
00:11:31.614 --> 00:11:35.251
The forecast is clear all week.
00:11:35.251 --> 00:11:38.120
In london, the barometer is 29.14 and falling,
00:11:38.120 --> 00:11:42.758
Rainy in singapore."
00:11:42.758 --> 00:11:44.193
And the man said, "wait a minute.
00:11:44.193 --> 00:11:45.528
Your watch tells you all of that?
00:11:45.528 --> 00:11:47.830
Where did you get it?"
00:11:47.830 --> 00:11:49.265
He said, "well, i didn't purchase it, i actually made it.
00:11:49.265 --> 00:11:51.600
I'm kind of an inventor."
00:11:51.600 --> 00:11:53.435
And the man said,
00:11:53.435 --> 00:11:54.737
"well, i'll give you $1,000 for that watch."
00:11:54.737 --> 00:11:56.572
The stranger say, "oh no, i couldn't part with it for that."
00:11:56.572 --> 00:11:59.708
He said, "i'll give you $5,000 for it."
00:11:59.708 --> 00:12:01.610
"well, i was planning to give it to my son
00:12:01.610 --> 00:12:03.712
For a graduation gift."
00:12:03.712 --> 00:12:04.847
"i'll give you $10,000." he said, "sold."
00:12:04.847 --> 00:12:08.284
So he takes off his watch, gives it to the man,
00:12:08.284 --> 00:12:12.888
The man gives him $10,000 and he's about to walk off.
00:12:12.888 --> 00:12:16.192
And the man said, "hey, wait a minute.
00:12:16.192 --> 00:12:17.827
You forgot something."
00:12:17.827 --> 00:12:19.461
And handing him two heavy suitcases,
00:12:19.461 --> 00:12:21.463
He said, "don't forget the batteries."
00:12:21.463 --> 00:12:24.133
(congregants laugh)
00:12:24.133 --> 00:12:26.468
You know, there are a lot of people
00:12:26.468 --> 00:12:28.037
Who want to add a lot of extra baggage
00:12:28.037 --> 00:12:31.574
To god's wonderful gift of grace,
00:12:31.574 --> 00:12:35.411
And that's what a legalist is.
00:12:35.411 --> 00:12:37.213
He's somebody who wants to add to god's gift of grace.
00:12:37.213 --> 00:12:41.750
And so when he's talking to an unbeliever,
00:12:41.750 --> 00:12:43.819
He says, "now, in order to be saved,
00:12:43.819 --> 00:12:46.288
You need to trust in jesus christ and..."
00:12:46.288 --> 00:12:49.925
And then he gives a long list of things
00:12:49.925 --> 00:12:52.194
You have to do in order to be saved.
00:12:52.194 --> 00:12:54.930
You see, from the very beginning of time
00:12:54.930 --> 00:12:56.966
Since the cross of jesus christ,
00:12:56.966 --> 00:12:59.235
There have been people who have tried
00:12:59.235 --> 00:13:00.436
To hang a sign around the cross
00:13:00.436 --> 00:13:02.538
That says, "necessary but not enough."
00:13:02.538 --> 00:13:06.475
"oh yes, what jesus did was important
00:13:06.475 --> 00:13:08.878
On the cross dying for our sins.
00:13:08.878 --> 00:13:11.614
But you don't think that trusting in jesus alone
00:13:11.614 --> 00:13:14.216
Is enough to save you, do you?
00:13:14.216 --> 00:13:15.885
That's too easy.
00:13:15.885 --> 00:13:17.519
In addition to faith in jesus christ,
00:13:17.519 --> 00:13:19.889
You need to: get baptized, join the church,
00:13:19.889 --> 00:13:24.126
Keep the 10 commandments, tithe.
00:13:24.126 --> 00:13:26.428
You need to do all of these other things
00:13:26.428 --> 00:13:28.931
If you're really going to be saved."
00:13:28.931 --> 00:13:31.300
That's the extra baggage that people add to grace,
00:13:31.300 --> 00:13:35.070
Especially to a non-christian.
00:13:35.070 --> 00:13:37.306
You know, the same thing was going on
00:13:37.306 --> 00:13:39.375
In the church at galatia.
00:13:39.375 --> 00:13:40.743
Remember the church there?
00:13:40.743 --> 00:13:42.678
Paul addressed the false teachers in the church.
00:13:42.678 --> 00:13:44.980
They were called judaizers,
00:13:44.980 --> 00:13:46.982
And they were saying to people,
00:13:46.982 --> 00:13:48.417
"oh, you want to come to faith in christ,
00:13:48.417 --> 00:13:50.219
Wonderful, trust in christ,
00:13:50.219 --> 00:13:52.121
But here's some additional things.
00:13:52.121 --> 00:13:55.090
You need to be circumcised like the jews are.
00:13:55.090 --> 00:13:57.593
You need to keep the dietary laws.
00:13:57.593 --> 00:13:59.295
You need to keep all the other laws of the jewish people
00:13:59.295 --> 00:14:02.031
In order to be truly saved."
00:14:02.031 --> 00:14:04.300
Now, how did paul respond to that?
00:14:04.300 --> 00:14:06.669
Did he say, "well, that's just a difference of opinion
00:14:06.669 --> 00:14:09.972
In the body of christ.
00:14:09.972 --> 00:14:11.240
You know, we all believe a little bit differently
00:14:11.240 --> 00:14:13.542
And we need to tolerate other people's beliefs."
00:14:13.542 --> 00:14:16.312
Listen to what he said in galatians 1:8.
00:14:16.312 --> 00:14:18.881
He said, "if we or an angel from heaven
00:14:18.881 --> 00:14:22.518
Should preach to you a gospel
00:14:22.518 --> 00:14:24.453
Contrary to what we have preached to you,
00:14:24.453 --> 00:14:27.089
Let that person be accursed."
00:14:27.089 --> 00:14:30.092
He said, "judaizers, if you are adding
00:14:30.092 --> 00:14:33.429
To the gospel of jesus christ,
00:14:33.429 --> 00:14:35.297
If you are preaching a message
00:14:35.297 --> 00:14:36.899
Contrary to what we have preached,
00:14:36.899 --> 00:14:39.068
That salvation is by god's grace through faith alone,
00:14:39.068 --> 00:14:42.871
Let that person be..."
00:14:42.871 --> 00:14:44.873
Now, the king james is mild here.
00:14:44.873 --> 00:14:46.875
It says, "let that person be accursed."
00:14:46.875 --> 00:14:49.945
That word in greek is anathema.
00:14:49.945 --> 00:14:52.014
Literally paul said,
00:14:52.014 --> 00:14:53.682
"anybody who adds to the gift of salvation,
00:14:53.682 --> 00:14:57.553
Let that person go to hell."
00:14:57.553 --> 00:15:00.322
That's what the word anathema means, to go to hell.
00:15:00.322 --> 00:15:03.726
It is a serious thing
00:15:03.726 --> 00:15:05.527
To add to what god says you must do to be saved.
00:15:05.527 --> 00:15:09.631
The bible says, "believe, trust in the lord jesus christ
00:15:09.631 --> 00:15:14.136
And you shall be saved."
00:15:14.136 --> 00:15:15.938
It doesn't say believe and be baptized and join the church.
00:15:15.938 --> 00:15:19.375
You may do all of those things, and should do those things,
00:15:19.375 --> 00:15:21.877
But not to be saved.
00:15:21.877 --> 00:15:23.245
It is faith in christ alone that saves us.
00:15:23.245 --> 00:15:27.383
Now, i'm grateful that in the last 20 years
00:15:27.383 --> 00:15:30.619
There have been some marvelous books
00:15:30.619 --> 00:15:32.554
That have helped release people from legalism.
00:15:32.554 --> 00:15:35.557
It's rescued grace from the hands of the legalist.
00:15:35.557 --> 00:15:38.861
But i'm afraid
00:15:38.861 --> 00:15:40.229
That in rescuing grace from the legalist,
00:15:40.229 --> 00:15:44.266
We have unwittingly handed it
00:15:44.266 --> 00:15:46.635
To other extremists on the opposite end of the spectrum,
00:15:46.635 --> 00:15:50.339
The libertarians who say,
00:15:50.339 --> 00:15:54.143
"grace means i'm exempt
00:15:54.143 --> 00:15:57.012
From any kind of standard of behavior whatsoever."
00:15:57.012 --> 00:16:00.816
You know, grace, in truth,
00:16:00.816 --> 00:16:02.851
Means that there's nothing we can do
00:16:02.851 --> 00:16:05.554
To add to god's love for us.
00:16:05.554 --> 00:16:08.791
There's nothing you and i can do
00:16:08.791 --> 00:16:10.259
To make god love us any more than he already does.
00:16:10.259 --> 00:16:13.462
But the libertarian changes that.
00:16:13.462 --> 00:16:15.697
He says there's nothing we need to do, period.
00:16:15.697 --> 00:16:19.735
In other words, if you're a christian,
00:16:19.735 --> 00:16:21.904
There is no standard of behavior for you.
00:16:21.904 --> 00:16:26.141
I was reading a true story
00:16:26.141 --> 00:16:27.609
About a man who was confronted by a fellow christian
00:16:27.609 --> 00:16:31.413
About an affair this man was having with another person.
00:16:31.413 --> 00:16:35.384
And when his friend asked him,
00:16:35.384 --> 00:16:36.585
"well, what do you think god thinks
00:16:36.585 --> 00:16:38.954
About what you're doing?"
00:16:38.954 --> 00:16:40.255
This is literally what he said.
00:16:40.255 --> 00:16:42.291
"well," he said, "i expect god to forgive me.
00:16:42.291 --> 00:16:45.994
That's his job."
00:16:45.994 --> 00:16:49.731
That's libertarianism.
00:16:50.232 --> 00:16:52.434
The libertarian is the person
00:16:52.434 --> 00:16:54.203
Who is always focused on god's job of forgiving
00:16:54.203 --> 00:16:58.273
And never our responsibility to live in obedience to god.
00:16:58.273 --> 00:17:03.512
And whenever you confront a libertarian
00:17:04.313 --> 00:17:05.714
With standards that god has for marriage, forgiving,
00:17:05.714 --> 00:17:10.919
For service in the church,
00:17:11.487 --> 00:17:12.855
For not making your weaker brother stumble.
00:17:12.855 --> 00:17:16.592
Whenever you confront him with standards of behavior,
00:17:16.592 --> 00:17:19.161
He says, "that's legalism, that's legalism."
00:17:19.161 --> 00:17:21.830
No, that's not legalism. that is obedience.
00:17:21.830 --> 00:17:25.834
You see, it is true.
00:17:25.834 --> 00:17:27.302
There's nothing we can do to earn god's forgiveness.
00:17:27.302 --> 00:17:29.805
That's by grace.
00:17:29.805 --> 00:17:31.607
But there are plenty of things we need to do
00:17:31.607 --> 00:17:33.876
To enjoy god's blessings after we're saved.
00:17:33.876 --> 00:17:37.846
That's obedience to god.
00:17:37.846 --> 00:17:39.148
And throughout the bible,
00:17:39.148 --> 00:17:40.616
The bible speaks about our obligations,
00:17:40.616 --> 00:17:42.818
If we are truly saved, to live obediently.
00:17:42.818 --> 00:17:46.188
Here's some verses that you might want to jot down
00:17:46.188 --> 00:17:49.258
That emphasize that importance of obedience to god.
00:17:49.258 --> 00:17:52.995
John 3:36: jesus said,
00:17:52.995 --> 00:17:55.497
"he who believes in the son has eternal life,
00:17:55.497 --> 00:17:59.268
But he who does not obey the son shall not see life,
00:17:59.268 --> 00:18:02.905
But the wrath of god abides on him."
00:18:02.905 --> 00:18:05.774
Or john 14:21, "he who has my commandments
00:18:05.774 --> 00:18:09.211
And keeps them is the one who loves me.
00:18:09.211 --> 00:18:11.480
And he who loves me will be loved by my father."
00:18:11.480 --> 00:18:14.983
Romans 6:1-2,
00:18:14.983 --> 00:18:17.786
This is directly related to the libertarians.
00:18:17.786 --> 00:18:21.456
"what shall we say then?
00:18:21.456 --> 00:18:23.025
Are we to continue and sin so that grace might increase?"
00:18:23.025 --> 00:18:28.230
The libertarian says, "well, i'm going to keep on sinning
00:18:29.364 --> 00:18:30.566
Because after all, it's a way for god
00:18:30.566 --> 00:18:33.101
To show how gracious he really is by forgiving me."
00:18:33.101 --> 00:18:36.471
Is that supposed to be our attitude?
00:18:36.471 --> 00:18:38.140
Verse 2: "may it never be.
00:18:38.140 --> 00:18:41.276
How shall we who have died to sin still live in it?"
00:18:41.276 --> 00:18:46.114
1 john 2:4-5:
00:18:46.114 --> 00:18:47.382
"the one who says, i've come to know him
00:18:47.382 --> 00:18:49.585
But does not keep his commandments is a liar
00:18:49.585 --> 00:18:52.588
And the truth is not in him.
00:18:52.588 --> 00:18:54.623
But whoever keeps god's word in him,
00:18:54.623 --> 00:18:57.059
The love of god has truly been perfected."
00:18:57.059 --> 00:19:00.529
Romans 6, this is a key passage
00:19:00.529 --> 00:19:03.966
About what grace really means.
00:19:03.966 --> 00:19:06.134
"for sin shall not be master over you,
00:19:06.134 --> 00:19:09.404
For you are not under the law, but under grace.
00:19:09.404 --> 00:19:12.107
What then, shall we sin?
00:19:12.107 --> 00:19:14.476
Because we are not under law but under grace,
00:19:14.476 --> 00:19:16.612
May it never be.
00:19:16.612 --> 00:19:18.580
For do you not know," verse 16,
00:19:18.580 --> 00:19:20.382
"that when you present yourselves to someone
00:19:20.382 --> 00:19:23.085
As slaves for obedience,
00:19:23.085 --> 00:19:24.987
You are slaves to the one you obey
00:19:24.987 --> 00:19:27.589
Either of sin resulting in death
00:19:27.589 --> 00:19:29.524
Or obedience and resulting in righteousness.
00:19:29.524 --> 00:19:32.461
But thanks be to god
00:19:32.461 --> 00:19:34.363
That though you were once slaves of sin,
00:19:34.363 --> 00:19:36.698
You have now become obedient from the heart
00:19:36.698 --> 00:19:39.301
To that form of teaching to which you were committed
00:19:39.301 --> 00:19:42.437
And having been freed from sin,
00:19:42.437 --> 00:19:45.040
You become slaves of righteousness."
00:19:45.040 --> 00:19:48.777
In our series, "grace gone wild,"
00:19:49.511 --> 00:19:51.213
We're going to rescue this wonderful gift of grace
00:19:51.213 --> 00:19:55.617
From legalists who would deny it
00:19:55.617 --> 00:19:57.686
And the libertarians who would distort it.
00:19:57.686 --> 00:19:59.554
And as i talk about this issue of good grace and bad grace,
00:19:59.554 --> 00:20:03.258
I imagine there's some of you right now listening to this
00:20:03.258 --> 00:20:06.261
Thinking, "oh, no, i know what that pastor is up to.
00:20:06.261 --> 00:20:09.831
He's about to, with one hand,
00:20:09.831 --> 00:20:11.900
Take away this precious gift of grace,
00:20:11.900 --> 00:20:15.270
And with the other hand,
00:20:15.270 --> 00:20:16.571
Hand me a long list of things i have to do
00:20:16.571 --> 00:20:20.676
To earn god's approval or to enjoy his benefits."
00:20:20.676 --> 00:20:24.479
You know that fear is based on a lie
00:20:24.479 --> 00:20:27.883
That the enemy has tried to whisper into our ears
00:20:27.883 --> 00:20:30.886
Since the beginning of time.
00:20:30.886 --> 00:20:32.888
And that lie is:
00:20:32.888 --> 00:20:35.157
Obedience to god leads to misery.
00:20:35.157 --> 00:20:39.561
You see, we have this idea
00:20:39.561 --> 00:20:41.563
That the freedom to do what we want to do, which is bad grace,
00:20:41.563 --> 00:20:45.701
Leads to happiness,
00:20:45.701 --> 00:20:47.369
But obeying god, which is good grace, leads to unhappiness.
00:20:47.369 --> 00:20:52.641
Deep down, we think god is some cosmic killjoy,
00:20:53.575 --> 00:20:56.244
And the reason he gives us boundaries for our behavior
00:20:56.244 --> 00:21:00.549
Is to restrict our happiness.
00:21:00.549 --> 00:21:03.485
These rules, these standards of behavior
00:21:03.485 --> 00:21:06.988
Really are for god's benefit rather than for ours.
00:21:06.988 --> 00:21:10.292
Nothing could be further from the truth.
00:21:10.292 --> 00:21:12.961
I remember when amy and i took our first vacation
00:21:13.962 --> 00:21:17.432
With both of our girls.
00:21:17.432 --> 00:21:19.267
Julia was about five years old and dorothy was about two.
00:21:19.267 --> 00:21:23.705
And we drove to colorado springs.
00:21:23.705 --> 00:21:26.308
And one day we decided to drive up to the top of pikes peak.
00:21:26.308 --> 00:21:29.811
I bet many of you have taken that trip as well.
00:21:29.811 --> 00:21:32.681
And we went round and round and round.
00:21:32.681 --> 00:21:34.983
Finally, we got up to the top of the mountain.
00:21:34.983 --> 00:21:37.018
It was a beautiful site. we let the girls out.
00:21:37.018 --> 00:21:40.922
There were no guardrails anywhere up there.
00:21:40.922 --> 00:21:43.458
We were so surprised at that.
00:21:43.458 --> 00:21:45.127
Suddenly, julia, age five, starts racing as fast as she can
00:21:45.127 --> 00:21:50.399
To the edge of that mountain.
00:21:51.032 --> 00:21:52.334
And amy and i yelled out in unison, "stop! stop!"
00:21:52.334 --> 00:21:56.905
She froze.
00:21:57.205 --> 00:21:58.940
Now were we trying
00:21:59.374 --> 00:22:01.209
To restrict julia's happiness in yelling, "stop"?
00:22:01.209 --> 00:22:04.846
Were we trying to prevent her
00:22:05.480 --> 00:22:07.082
From some wonderful experience?
00:22:07.082 --> 00:22:10.619
No, we were keeping her from going over the cliff.
00:22:10.619 --> 00:22:14.122
That's why we put that boundary in place.
00:22:14.122 --> 00:22:18.326
Her obedience to our command
00:22:18.326 --> 00:22:21.163
Resulted in life instead of death.
00:22:21.163 --> 00:22:24.666
And it's the same for us.
00:22:25.233 --> 00:22:27.769
The reason god has given us certain restrictions,
00:22:27.769 --> 00:22:30.639
Even though we live under grace, is not for his benefit.
00:22:30.639 --> 00:22:34.309
It's for ours.
00:22:34.309 --> 00:22:35.477
And in essence, that's the difference
00:22:35.477 --> 00:22:37.112
Between good grace and bad grace.
00:22:37.112 --> 00:22:40.415
Good grace recognizes that there are boundaries
00:22:40.415 --> 00:22:43.418
And behavior that are given for our benefit,
00:22:43.418 --> 00:22:46.054
Not for our detriment.
00:22:46.054 --> 00:22:48.056
Bad grace removes all barriers and standards for behavior.
00:22:48.056 --> 00:22:53.395
Good grace recognizes that we should establish boundaries
00:22:54.563 --> 00:22:57.432
Toward other people's behavior toward us.
00:22:57.432 --> 00:23:00.168
Bad grace demands
00:23:00.168 --> 00:23:01.803
That we endure unlimited abuse from others.
00:23:01.803 --> 00:23:05.841
Good grace will always motivate a child of god
00:23:05.841 --> 00:23:09.177
To cling as closely to his heavenly father as possible.
00:23:09.177 --> 00:23:13.482
Bad grace will encourage a child of god
00:23:13.482 --> 00:23:16.318
To live as close to the edge of disobedience as possible.
00:23:16.318 --> 00:23:21.056
Good grace leads to life.
00:23:21.056 --> 00:23:24.493
Bad grace leads to death.
00:23:24.493 --> 00:23:27.395
♪ music ♪
00:23:27.395 --> 00:23:31.666
I hope today's "pathway to victory" has helped you identify
00:23:32.801 --> 00:23:36.271
The difference between good grace and bad grace.
00:23:36.271 --> 00:23:40.008
You'll hear me refer to this principle
00:23:40.008 --> 00:23:41.943
Throughout our series called "grace gone wild."
00:23:41.943 --> 00:23:45.647
So make plans to join us in the coming weeks
00:23:45.647 --> 00:23:48.383
As we learn the benefits
00:23:48.383 --> 00:23:49.751
Of applying good grace in every area of our life.
00:23:49.751 --> 00:23:54.422
In closing, i want to thank you
00:23:54.422 --> 00:23:55.824
For your generous support of "pathway to victory."
00:23:55.824 --> 00:23:58.727
I can't think of a better time
00:23:58.727 --> 00:24:00.228
To telegraph god's grace to america and the world
00:24:00.228 --> 00:24:03.899
Than right now.
00:24:03.899 --> 00:24:05.400
Gratefully, our television and radio coverage
00:24:05.400 --> 00:24:07.869
Has expanded dramatically in recent years
00:24:07.869 --> 00:24:11.239
And so have the opportunities
00:24:11.239 --> 00:24:13.008
To see more lives transformed every single day.
00:24:13.008 --> 00:24:17.445
And your support at this pivotal time in history
00:24:17.445 --> 00:24:20.248
Is making a huge difference
00:24:20.248 --> 00:24:22.651
As we pierce the darkness of our nation
00:24:22.651 --> 00:24:25.287
With the light of god's word.
00:24:25.287 --> 00:24:27.589
Thank you for empowering us
00:24:27.589 --> 00:24:29.224
To spread the message of god's grace far and wide.
00:24:29.224 --> 00:24:33.595
Now stay right there.
00:24:33.595 --> 00:24:34.896
I'll be back with more "pathway to victory"
00:24:34.896 --> 00:24:37.265
In just a moment.
00:24:37.265 --> 00:24:38.500
♪ music ♪
00:24:38.500 --> 00:24:40.936
The bible tells us we're saved by grace,
00:24:40.936 --> 00:24:44.205
But do you allow yourself to receive grace?
00:24:44.205 --> 00:24:47.208
Do you practice grace? do you abuse god's grace?
00:24:47.208 --> 00:24:51.012
In "grace gone wild,"
00:24:51.012 --> 00:24:52.447
Dr. robert jeffress clears up the confusion
00:24:52.447 --> 00:24:55.150
And shows you how grace leads to joy, not guilt.
00:24:55.150 --> 00:24:58.653
Christians fall into one of two traps
00:24:58.653 --> 00:25:00.822
When it comes to grace.
00:25:00.822 --> 00:25:02.457
Some believe grace means
00:25:02.457 --> 00:25:03.858
There are no boundaries in living,
00:25:03.858 --> 00:25:06.261
Others pile on so many rules
00:25:06.261 --> 00:25:08.296
That christianity feels like a burden instead of a blessing.
00:25:08.296 --> 00:25:12.634
In my book, "grace gone wild,"
00:25:12.634 --> 00:25:14.202
I'll show you that true grace leads
00:25:14.202 --> 00:25:16.938
To a deeper, more joy-filled relationship with god.
00:25:16.938 --> 00:25:21.142
Discover how understanding grace
00:25:21.142 --> 00:25:23.211
Can transform your marriage, your relationships,
00:25:23.211 --> 00:25:26.047
And every decision you make.
00:25:26.047 --> 00:25:28.049
Request your copy of "grace gone wild"
00:25:28.049 --> 00:25:30.552
When you give a generous gift to "pathway to victory."
00:25:30.552 --> 00:25:33.922
And when your ministry gift is $75 or more,
00:25:33.922 --> 00:25:37.425
We'll also send you the "grace gone wild" teaching series
00:25:37.425 --> 00:25:40.996
On both cd and dvd along with the application guide.
00:25:40.996 --> 00:25:45.333
There are too many christians today
00:25:45.333 --> 00:25:47.168
Who have taken this marvelous gift of grace
00:25:47.168 --> 00:25:50.905
And perverted it.
00:25:50.905 --> 00:25:52.607
They are robbing themselves
00:25:52.607 --> 00:25:54.142
Of the joy that comes from obedience to god.
00:25:54.142 --> 00:25:58.079
Thank you for your generous support
00:25:58.079 --> 00:25:59.848
Of "pathway to victory."
00:25:59.848 --> 00:26:01.483
Your gift helps us bring bold, biblical teaching
00:26:01.483 --> 00:26:04.052
Around the world.
00:26:04.052 --> 00:26:05.220
Together, we are piercing the darkness
00:26:05.220 --> 00:26:07.389
With the light of god's word.
00:26:07.389 --> 00:26:11.192
♪ music ♪
00:26:11.526 --> 00:26:12.994
There's nothing we can do to earn grace,
00:26:12.994 --> 00:26:16.064
But there are ways we can abuse god's grace.
00:26:16.064 --> 00:26:19.567
Legalists and libertarians have twisted grace
00:26:19.567 --> 00:26:22.937
Into something that it's not,
00:26:22.937 --> 00:26:24.606
And both extremes fall under the definition
00:26:24.606 --> 00:26:27.475
Of what i call bad grace.
00:26:27.475 --> 00:26:30.078
But, starting next time and all throughout this series,
00:26:30.078 --> 00:26:32.947
We're going to see what good grace looks like
00:26:32.947 --> 00:26:35.917
And how grace correctly applied
00:26:35.917 --> 00:26:38.253
Can radically change every area of your life for the better.
00:26:38.253 --> 00:26:42.590
Stay tuned for a preview
00:26:42.590 --> 00:26:43.858
Of what's coming up next on "pathway to victory."
00:26:43.858 --> 00:26:47.662
Now, there's some of you who would say,
00:26:48.496 --> 00:26:49.731
"pastor, i'm a christian,
00:26:49.731 --> 00:26:51.066
But i don't have a dramatic story like that,
00:26:51.066 --> 00:26:54.135
A dramatic conversion story."
00:26:54.135 --> 00:26:56.838
It doesn't matter how you came to faith,
00:26:56.838 --> 00:26:59.674
Whether it was on the open seas in a violent storm,
00:26:59.674 --> 00:27:02.844
Or as a 7-year-old boy or girl.
00:27:02.844 --> 00:27:06.314
Regardless of how you came to faith,
00:27:06.314 --> 00:27:09.684
A dramatic change has occurred in your life,
00:27:09.684 --> 00:27:12.087
Whether you realize it or not.
00:27:12.087 --> 00:27:15.090
Set your dvr
00:27:15.090 --> 00:27:16.257
And join us next time
00:27:16.257 --> 00:27:17.425
For the message "under new management"
00:27:17.425 --> 00:27:19.728
Here on "pathway to victory."
00:27:19.728 --> 00:27:19.728

Robert Jeffress - The Grace Escape

April 7, 2026 | 27:29

Closed captions

Share