Podcast Summary: Grace in Focus

Episode: "Is Remarriage Continual Adultery?"

Date: September 19, 2025
Host: Bob Wilkin
Guest: Ken Yates
Duration: 13 minutes

Overview

In this episode, Bob Wilkin and Ken Yates address a listener's deeply personal question: Is remarriage after divorce a continual state of adultery, and does it endanger one’s salvation? The hosts dissect biblical passages, discuss interpretations within Free Grace Theology, and directly refute the idea that remarriage leads to ongoing sin or the loss of eternal life. The discussion is compassionate, scripture-focused, and aimed at providing assurance and clarity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Listener Question and Background (00:57–02:15)

• Scenario: The listener, "LL", was married for 23 years before her husband left her due to unfaithfulness. She then began living with another man, later married him (although he was not a believer), believing marriage was the correct step.
• Her Concerns:
  • Is she in a continual state of adultery according to some Christian teachers?
  • Does this mean she is going to hell unless she leaves her second husband?

2. Salvation and Eternal Security (02:15–04:54)

• Response: Salvation Is by Faith Alone:
  • “If a person believes in Jesus Christ for eternal life, they have it. And it doesn’t matter what their sexual sins are or aren't or marriage status or anything else.” – Bob Wilkin (02:20)
• Scriptural Basis:
  • John 3:16 and John 4 are cited as affirming that eternal life is given to those who believe in Jesus, without reference to marital status or behavior.
  • Example: Jesus’ interaction with the Samaritan woman at the well, who had multiple marriages and was not ostracized by Him for her relationship status.
• Personal Application:
  • Assurance that no sin, including divorce or remarriage, can forfeit salvation.

3. The Nature of Sin and Ongoing Adultery (05:05–06:47, 08:13–12:01)

• Comparative Scenarios:
  • The issue is broadened to include other scenarios (e.g., homosexuality), stating “there is no sin that can keep you from everlasting life.” – Ken Yates (05:16)
• Jesus’ Teaching on Divorce and Remarriage:
  • Matthew 5:32 and 19:9: Adultery (porneia) by a spouse is biblical grounds for divorce and remarriage.
  • "If your spouse commits adultery, that's grounds for divorce and remarriage. So her remarrying would not be sin. What would be sin is her living with the second man before she got married again." – Ken Yates (05:37)
  • The sin, if any, was in cohabitating before marriage, not the act of marrying again.
• Is Remarriage Continual Adultery?:
  • The teaching that remarriage is a constant state of adultery is directly refuted.
  • “He [Jesus] doesn't mean you commit ongoing adultery. He means at that moment you have committed a sin by remarrying when you didn’t have the grounds for remarrying.” – Ken Yates (09:10)

4. Practical Outcomes and Pastoral Advice (07:23–12:23)

• Faithfulness in Second Marriage:
  • “Now that she has remarried … she’s now committed to the second man and she needs to stay faithful to him. And according to First Corinthians 7, she can have a sanctifying influence on him.” – Ken Yates (07:23)
• No Obligation to End Second Marriage:
  • Teachers who claim one must dissolve a second marriage are misunderstood; Paul’s advice is to remain in the state you are in, as long as it’s not inherently sinful.
  • Attempting to return to the first spouse could itself be wrong, especially if that person has remarried.
• Evangelism Opportunity:
  • Encouragement for the listener to witness to her current husband about faith in Jesus.

5. Legalism, Complexity, and Compassion (09:50–12:23)

• Legalism Critiqued:
  • "We can become very legalistic here. And whoever this Paulson guy is, it looks like he's probably in that camp." – Ken Yates (10:27)
• Family Realities:
  • Recognizes practical issues such as the existence of children in second marriages; breaking apart families is discouraged.
• Historical Context:
  • Divorce and remarriage were common even in the first century; expecting people to return to a previous marriage is seen as impractical and unreasonable.

6. Assurance and The Core Message (12:11–12:35)

• Reiterate the Gospel of Grace:
  • “Most important thing, Gospel of John, you have eternal life by faith alone in Christ, apart from any works.” – Bob Wilkin (12:23)
  • “And you can never lose him. Never lose him.” – Bob Wilkin (12:25)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Assurance:
  • “If a person believes in Jesus Christ for eternal life, they have it. And it doesn’t matter what their sexual sins are or aren't or marriage status or anything else.” – Bob Wilkin (02:20)
• On The Adequacy of Faith:
  • "John 3:16 says whoever believes in him will not perish but has everlasting life. That says nothing about behavior." – Ken Yates (02:44)
• About Continual Adultery:
  • “He doesn’t mean you commit ongoing adultery. He means at that moment you have committed a sin by remarrying when you didn’t have the grounds for remarrying.” – Ken Yates (09:10)
• On Pastoral Wisdom:
  • “Once you've done that, you're now under a new marriage commitment or a new marriage covenant.” – Ken Yates (09:18)
• On Legalism and Pastoral Care:
  • "We can become very legalistic here... what would you do about the kids involved?" – Ken Yates (10:27)
• On Remaining Where You Are:
  • “Whatever state you find yourself in now, be content with it.” – Bob Wilkin (09:24)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:57–02:15: Listener’s question and background explained
• 02:20–04:54: The assurance of salvation through faith alone, not works
• 05:05–06:47: Broader discussion: no sin excludes one from eternal life
• 07:23–08:13: Advice for living faithfully in a second marriage
• 08:13–09:18: Refuting continual adultery & basis in scripture
• 09:24–11:49: Practical challenges, legalism, and historical context
• 12:11–12:35: Final reassurance and the core gospel message

Final Thoughts

This episode offers a clear, reassuring message for Christians troubled by complicated marital histories. The hosts emphasize the sufficiency of faith in Jesus for eternal life, the wisdom of remaining committed to one's current marriage, and a compassionate, non-legalistic outlook. Those who fear that remarriage is a continual sin or a block to heaven are reminded, scripturally and pastorally, of the unchanging promise: eternal life is by grace through faith alone.