Podcast Summary: Grace in Focus

Episode: Why Not Live Like the Devil?
Host: Grace Evangelical Society (Bob Wilkin & Ken Yates)
Date: February 19, 2026
Duration: 13 minutes

Overview

In this thought-provoking episode, Bob Wilkin and Ken Yates grapple with a classic challenge to Free Grace Theology: "If salvation is secure—if ‘once saved, always saved’ is true—then what motivation is there for Christians to live righteously? Why not just ‘live like the devil’?" Drawing from personal experiences, Scripture, and pastoral wisdom, the hosts unpack common accusations against Free Grace teaching, including antinomianism, and argue for grace—not law or fear—as the true motivation for godly living. The episode also previews key themes for their upcoming national conference.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Introduction to the National Conference (01:01–02:40)

• The hosts introduce the annual Grace Evangelical Society Conference (May 18–21, 2026, Camp Koppass, Denton, TX), themed "Everlasting Life and Abundant Life."
• Breakdown: Plenary sessions for all attendees and breakout sessions covering diverse Free Grace issues. All sessions later made available online.
• Purpose: To address both the assurance and experience of eternal and abundant life as offered by Jesus.

2. The “Why Not Live Like the Devil?” Question (02:40–05:13)

• The recurring criticism: If salvation cannot be lost, does this encourage sinful living?
• Ken Yates (03:16):
  “Calvinists say they believe in once saved, always saved…But they don’t know if they have it…So I’ve got to keep on keeping on in order to find out if I’ve got it or…to ensure I keep it if I’m an Arminian.”
• Bob Wilkin (04:51):
  “If we say, hey, once you have eternal life, you can never lose it…you’re going to encourage [people] to do it, you’re going to give them a false sense of assurance and…they’re just going to go out and live like the Devil.”

3. Responding to the Charge of Antinomianism (05:13–06:32)

• Free Grace advocates are often labeled “antinomian” (against God’s law).
• Ken Yates (05:46): “If you are someone who believes in work, salvation, or lordship salvation, you are promoting sin. They promote sin because legalism produces sin. Read Romans 7:13–25.”
• Supporting Argument:
  Legalistic focus on commandments (rather than Spirit-led living) paradoxically increases sinful behaviors.

4. Paul’s Struggle and the Spirit-filled Solution (06:32–07:24)

• Referencing Romans 7 and 8: Paul's frustration under legalism and his victory through walking by the Spirit.
• Ken Yates (06:54): “The Holy Spirit is going to enable me to walk in the resurrection power of Christ, overcoming the deadness of my body…Second Corinthians 5…we who are in these bodies were groaning, looking forward to the day when our bodies are changed.”

5. Legalism vs. Grace: Which Promotes Holiness? (07:24–08:46)

• Legalistic striving produces the “works of the flesh” (see Romans & Galatians).
• Ken Yates (08:07): “It’s not that…someone who is saying, ‘I’m going to rebel against God.’ Just the opposite. It’s the person who says, ‘I’m going to really, really follow the command…’ You do that, [and] that doesn’t produce holiness. That produces sin…By faith in Christ, I am absolutely sure that I am secure forever. That promotes holiness.”

6. Personal Testimony and the Transformational Power of Assurance (08:52–10:44)

• Ken shares his journey from a perfectionistic, works-based faith to Free Grace belief. Assurance led to a deeper desire to please Christ.
• Ken Yates (09:19): “When I came to faith, guess what happened? …My longing and desire is to please the Lord Jesus Christ. I long to hear him say, ‘Well done good and faithful servant.’ I live each day in light of the fact that he’s coming again and I’m going to stand before him at the judgment seat of Christ.”
• Real-life motivations against sin: personal transformation, warning from negative family experiences (e.g., growing up with alcoholism), and a sense of future accountability.

7. Logical Reasons Not to Sin—Christian or Not (10:44–12:29)

• Both hosts discuss the practical downsides of sinful living—destructive consequences that anyone can recognize.
• Bob Wilkin (10:44): “Grace is the greatest motivation to live…a godly life, not…a sinful life. But even if we just look at it logically…those things…why wouldn’t I take drugs? Why wouldn’t I become a drunk? Well, it’s expensive. It’ll ruin my life.”
• Ken Yates (11:31):
  “It ruins your marriage and it ruins your family and you’re going to get lots of sexually transmitted diseases and you’re going to have lots of turmoil in your life.”
• Bob Wilkin (12:23): “Wisdom literature in the New Testament, James or Proverbs in the Old Testament, it’s stupid to live that way.”

8. Biblical Foundation and Closing Encouragement (12:29–12:54)

• Bob Wilkin (12:31): “But more importantly, once saved, always saved is biblical. It’s what the New Testament teaches. John 5:24 and so many other verses in the Gospel of John.”
• Listeners are encouraged to attend the conference for deeper dives on assurance, grace, and godly living.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ken Yates (03:27):
  “The idea that everlasting life by itself being secure might lead someone to live like the devil is not really the question…the question is: if you…are absolutely sure…you are secure forever…why aren’t you getting high on cocaine every day…involved in immorality?”
• Bob Wilkin (11:47):
  “And if you’re an important person, you come out on the Epstein list, right?”
• Ken Yates (11:55): “If I’m eternally secure, why wouldn’t I break my leg, Right? Well, yeah, I guess I could, but that just doesn’t appeal to me…If you understand reality…the way the Bible explains life, then you know that the wages of sin is death…I mean, the wisdom literature, it’s horrible for you.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:01–02:40 — Overview of the conference and its relevance to today’s topic
• 02:40–05:13 — "Why not live like the devil?"—understanding the objection
• 05:13–06:32 — Antinomianism and the sin-provoking nature of legalism
• 06:32–07:24 — Paul’s experience in Romans 7–8: Law vs. Spirit
• 07:24–08:46 — Legalism vs. grace: what produces godly living?
• 08:52–10:44 — Ken Yates’ personal testimony of grace and motivation
• 10:44–12:29 — Common sense (and biblical) reasons to reject sin
• 12:29–12:54 — Affirmation of eternal security and biblical teaching

Tone and Approach

• Warm, conversational, personal, and peppered with humor and honesty.
• Theological precision balanced with practical wisdom and empathy for skeptics.
• Open invitation for ongoing engagement—including conference participation and further study.

Summary

The episode offers a robust defense of Free Grace Theology against claims that it encourages sinful living. Bob and Ken argue that true assurance and understanding of grace actually inspire deeper devotion to Christ. Legalism, they contend, is more likely to fuel sin, while grace sets believers free to pursue holiness. The hosts back their points with both Scripture and real-life examples, ultimately pointing listeners to the transforming power of life in Christ—and inviting them to explore these themes further at their upcoming conference.