Beware of "Trouble" Makers
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Imagine that you are at home. It's been a long day, maybe even a long week at work. You are tired. You have spent all your energy. You want nothing more than to relax, maybe even go to sleep. You are resting in your recliner chair, leaning back into the plump cushions with your eyes closed as you focus on the peaceful quiet. Suddenly, you hear an obnoxious noise that tramples all over your moment of solitude.
"Drip.... Drip.... Drip.... Drip...."
"Drip.... Drip.... Drip.... Drip...."
There goes that leaky faucet again. You'd almost swear that blasted faucet had a mind of its own and was doing this on purpose. All you want is some calm and quiet. But that leaky faucet just won't allow it.
Did you know that there are a lot of "Christians" out there who are leaky faucets? I don't know whether they are actually saved or not, but they are leaky faucets. How so? They seem to get pleasure out of ruining the calm of other Christians. Did you know that Christians are supposed to have security? I'll prove this a little later.
Life is tough. We have bills to pay. We have jobs to go to. We have responsibilities. We have these responsibilities in order to have security. We all want security. We want to feel safe. We want to know that we will have food to eat. We want to know that we have shelter. And yet, these things are temporary. What about eternal things? Surely we would like to feel a sense of security about eternal things, right? The Bible teaches that Christians are meant to have security. And yet, there are people who work tirelessly to undermine this security. Here are some examples of what you will hear these people say:
"If you were truly saved, you wouldn't be sinning anymore!"
"LOL! You think you get saved simply by believing on Jesus Christ?? That is a lie of Satan!"
"There is no such thing as eternal security! You can lose your salvation!"
All of this nonsense equates to the following:
"Drip.... Drip.... Drip.... Drip...."
There are other securities that people like to steal away from Christians. Here are some more examples of what you will encounter:
"These stupid Christians that think the Rapture is Pre-Tribulation! They just believe that because they can't handle the truth! They will be totally unprepared when they are left here during the Tribulation!"
"Christians are expected to obey the Ten Commandments! Jesus kept them, and we must live by His example! If you are not striving to obey the Ten Commandments, then you were never saved!"
And once again, this is all I hear:
"Drip.... Drip.... Drip.... Drip...."
Have you ever been troubled about something? Maybe you were short on money. Maybe you had difficulty finding a job. There are many things that are troubling in this world. Did you know that there are people who want to trouble you about far more important things? These people belong to that dreaded denomination known as "Leaky Faucet Christianity." They have a very simple goal: They want to trouble people who have believed on Jesus Christ. This has been going on for a long time. Read the following three verses of Scripture.
Galatians 1:7: "Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ."
2nd Thessalonians 2:2: "That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand."
Acts 15:24: "Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:"
Did you notice a common theme to these three verses? The theme is "trouble." Each of these verses deals with a group of Christians getting troubled by people trying to take away their security. Let's examine these three breaches of security.
Salvation
There are many verses of Scripture which make it clear that becoming saved is very simple. Here are just a few:
John 5:47: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me hath everlasting life." - Jesus Christ
Romans 10:9: "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."
1st Peter 1:5: "Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
Now, let's jump right in. The apostle Paul had learned that the believers in the churches in Galatia were confused about their salvation. They had been saved by believing on Jesus Christ, but they had since then come to believe that the works of the law played a part in their salvation. Note how Paul confronts these confused believers.
Galatians 1:6-9: "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed."
What is the Gospel of Christ?
1st Corinthians 15:1-4: "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:"
What does the Gospel of Christ do?
Romans 1:16: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."
The Gospel of Christ teaches that Jesus Christ died for the sins of the world, was buried, and rose again three days later. Believing the Gospel of Christ results in eternal salvation. But what was Paul's warning?
"...there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ."
Watch out. There are people out there who mess with the Gospel of Christ. Why do they do this? It keeps lost people lost and steals away the security of those who are already saved. Now let's look at some interesting things that Paul had to say to these Galatian believers who had been troubled about their salvation.
Galatians 2:4: "And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:"
Translation: Fake Christians had infiltrated the churches and did not like the freedom that the true Christians had. They looked for ways to destroy that freedom, or security. Paul reminded these Galatian believers how they had been saved.
Galatians 2:16: "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."
Galatians 3:1-3: "O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit (they had believed on Jesus Christ), are ye now made perfect by the flesh (the works they performed)?"
Galatians 3:21-26: "Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus."
Paul was upset. These Galatian believers had been presented with the truth, and now someone had perverted the Gospel of Christ and caused these Galatian believers to think that their salvation was dependent on performing the works of the law. This would mean that a person could lose his or her salvation.
Galatians 5:4-8: "Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you."
Who "calls" out to the lost?
1st Corinthians 1:9: "God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord."
God calls out to the unsaved because He wants people to become saved. Paul reminded the Galatian believers that the perverted teachings of those fake Christians who had infiltrated the churches had not come from God. What did Paul say about those people who were perverting the Gospel of Christ?
Galatians 5:10: "I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be."
Whoever was perverting the Gospel of Christ and troubling the believers would have to face judgment for this.
Galatians 5:12: "I would they were even cut off which trouble you."
Paul desired that whoever was troubling the believers in Galatia would be cut off and removed from among them. Do you know why? Believers on Jesus Christ are supposed to have security.
1st John 5:13: "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."
The Gospel of Christ saves the soul of the person who believes in it. Anyone who says otherwise is perverting the plan of God, and they are simply trying to trouble you. Don't be troubled. Salvation is a free gift (Romans 5:15, Ephesians 2:8), and it cannot be lost (Ephesians 1:13, 1st Corinthians 3:15).
(There are many ways that the Gospel of Christ is perverted. One such way is when people say you must "repent of your sins" to be saved. These people typically define "repent" to mean "turn away from." This is a serious error that has created a false gospel. Read my page "Repentance 101" for lots of information on this topic. There is nothing you must give up to be saved besides your unbelief in the Gospel of Christ. The law gives us the knowledge of sin (Romans 3:20). When people tell you that you must turn away from your sins to become or to stay saved, they are essentially saying that you must obey the law. Don't listen to this nonsense. Christians still sin because they are still human and have to deal with a body that was born into sin. Read Romans 7 and 1st Corinthians 3:1-4. And don't forget about 1st John 1:8.)
Have you believed in the Gospel of Christ? If so, then you are saved. Don't you let any Leaky Faucet Christians trouble you about your salvation. You are sealed (Ephesians 1:13, 4:30), purchased (1st Corinthians 6:20, 7:23), and secure (1st John 5:13).
The bottom line: Salvation is secure for the person who has believed in the Gospel of Christ.
The Tribulation
The book of 1st Thessalonians was a letter written by the apostle Paul to the church in Thessalonica. Paul described the Rapture to these believers in this letter.
1st Thessalonians 4:15-18: "For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep (deceased). For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words."
Note that Christians are supposed to "comfort one another with these words." This was written to remind believers not to be too sad about the passing of loved ones who were also believers. At the Rapture, all believers, alive and deceased, will be caught up to meet Jesus in the air. Please recall the following verse:
1st John 5:13: "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."
God wants Christians to have the security of knowing that they are forever saved. God also wants Christians to have the security of knowing that they will be reunited with their saved loved ones at the Rapture. This is not the only reason that the Rapture is supposed to provide comfort. Imagine the worst possible disaster that could ever happen. And then imagine someone telling you that you will be spared of having to experience it. What a comforting thought! Will believers saved during the age of grace be left on earth to endure the Tribulation? Sometime after receiving Paul's first letter, the Thessalonian believers became confused and thought that because of the tribulations they were experiencing, they were living in THE Tribulation. Word of this got back to Paul, and he wrote a second letter to the Thessalonian believers. Chapter one opens with Paul's greeting to his fellow brothers and sister in Christ, and then chapter two reveals the purpose for Paul's second letter.
2nd Thessalonians 2:1-3: "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ (the return of Jesus Christ at the end of the Tribulation) is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;"
Paul told these believers to "be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled". When a Christian thinks that he or she will have to go through the Tribulation, it is a troubling thought. The Rapture provides comfort, assuring Christians that they will not be left on earth to face the Tribulation. The Tribulation cannot begin until the antichrist (the man of sin) is revealed, and that cannot occur until "there come a falling away first". The phrase "a falling away" was translated from the Greek word "apostasia," which means "a departure," and this refers to the Rapture. Recall the context of Paul's message. Paul was pleading with these believers "by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him" that they would not be troubled. The gathering that Paul mentioned is the Rapture, and because of the Rapture, Christians have no need to be troubled concerning the Tribulation. Imagine that you knew of some horrible event that was going to occur on earth in 500 years. Would you be troubled about it? You would have no reason to fear, because you are not going to be alive on earth in 500 years. The same concept applies to the Tribulation. Believers on Jesus Christ in the age of grace have no business being troubled about this terrible event because they are not going to be left on earth to experience it, as it is a period of time never meant for them. You have to understand God's timetable (different ages) and methods (different Gospels) when it comes to His dealings with Jews and Gentiles. For the Jews, God operated by the law. For the Gentiles, God operates by grace. At the end of the age of law (Luke 16:16), the Gospel of the Kingdom was presented to the Jews by John the Baptist, Jesus Christ, and the twelve disciples (Matthew 9:35, 3:2, 4:17, and 10:5-7), and this message was to be taken only to the Jews (Matthew 10:5-6, 15:24). The Jews rejected this Gospel and crucified their King (Jesus Christ). After Jesus was resurrected and returned to Heaven, the Gospel of Christ was presented to the Jews (Acts 2), then the Gentiles (Acts 10), and came into full effect after God appointed Paul as the official apostle of the age of grace (Acts 9:15). Peter was the apostle to the Jews (Galatians 2:7-8), while Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles (Galatians 2:7-8). Paul's writings to the churches he helped to form apply to all believers in the age of grace. The concepts of salvation by simple faith in Christ and the Rapture are found in Paul's writings. The age of grace must run its course (Romans 11:25), and in this age, God's grace is upon those who put their faith in God's Son, and believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13). When the Rapture occurs, the Holy Spirit will be taken back to Heaven (2nd Thessalonians 2:7), along with all believers saved and sealed during the age of grace (1st Thessalonians 4:16-17). With God's grace now gone, the Gospel of the Kingdom will return (Matthew 24:14), and the Tribulation will begin immediately. The Tribulation will see God's wrath poured out on the earth.
Revelation 6:17: "For the great day of his (God's) wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?"
God's wrath is not meant for believers in the age of grace.
1st Thessalonians 5:9: "For God hath not appointed us (believers in the age of grace) to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,"
Do you know who God is going to be directing His wrath at during the Tribulation? Who rejected their King? Who crucified the Son of God?
1st Thessalonians 2:14-16: "For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews: Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost."
The Gospel of the Kingdom was strictly for the Jews at the end of the age of law. When the Gospel of the Kingdom returns for the Tribulation, its use clues you in to who God is dealing with once again. (For much more on the Rapture and the Tribulation, please read my article "Dividing the Word" part two.)
Have you believed in the Gospel of Christ? If so, then you are saved. Don't you let any Leaky Faucet Christians trouble you regarding the Tribulation. You won't be here for it.
The bottom line: Believers in the age of grace will not experience the Tribulation due to the Rapture. The Rapture will signal the end of the age of grace by removing its elements (believers on Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and God's grace), as these have no place on earth during the Tribulation. The Tribulation is marked by a different Gospel and the return of prophets (Revelation 11:3-7), and it has a different group of people in mind than those targeted by the age of grace. (Please read my article "Dividing the Word" part two and the sub-article "The Rapture Continued" to learn about the Rapture and the Biblical evidence supporting the Pre-Tribulation stance.)
The Law
Acts 15:1: "And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved."
Acts 15:5: "But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them (Gentile believers), and to command them to keep the law of Moses."
Did believers on Jesus Christ have to obey the law of Moses? Did they need to be circumcised?
Acts 15:6-11: "And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they (Gentile believers)."
The apostles reached the conclusion that it was faith in Jesus Christ that saved the soul. This meant that obeying the law and being circumcised were not requirements for salvation. The apostles wanted to make this clear to the churches that had been affected by this corrupt doctrine that mixed faith and law.
Acts 15:22-24: "Then pleased it the apostles and elders with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas and Silas, chief men among the brethren: And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia. Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:"
Believers had been troubled by having the law and circumcision forced upon them. They had been taught that faith in Jesus Christ was all that was necessary for salvation, and then other requirements had been given to them, sort of like hidden taxes and fees. The apostles made it clear: They did not give any such commandments. Those extra requirements were wrongly added by others. Look at what happened when this news was shared:
Acts 15:30-31: "So when they were dismissed, they (the men chosen to deliver the letters written by the apostles) came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle (letter): Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation."
Do you know what "consolation" is? It is relief, or comfort. The believers were comforted to learn that they did not need to be in subjection to the law or be circumcised to be saved. Believers are meant to be comforted with the knowledge that God does not require these things for salvation. Do you remember another thing believers are meant to be comforted about? Believers are to be comforted with the knowledge that they will not have to endure the Tribulation. Do you see how comfort and consolation are identical? This is what God desires for His children, not the "trouble" that others try to force onto true Christians. People were trying to trouble Christians long ago. This practice still goes on today. There are many "Christians" who are double-talkers. They tell you that simple faith in Jesus Christ saves the soul. Then once you are interested, they slip in hidden requirements such as turning away from all your sins and performing good works. This troubles the soul of the person who has been saved or desires to be saved, placing an impossible burden on them. I have even seen the ridiculous claim made that a Christian must "hate" sin. This is complete nonsense. A Christian is still human, and thus the things that appeal to the flesh will still appeal to a Christian after he or she has been saved. The apostle Paul himself struggled with sin, because he was still human. Read Romans 7, where Paul describes the struggle of human nature versus spiritual nature. You see, here is what these double-talking, Leaky Faucet Christians are secretly doing: They are trying to make you believe that your salvation is dependent on factors other than your belief in Jesus Christ. Do you know why they do this? Because this teaching causes you to place your faith in your own works. When you think you are doing well in your Christian walk, you will become prideful, which is a sin (Proverbs 16:18-19). When you think you are doing poorly in your Christian walk, you will doubt your salvation, and then instead of dealing with you faults, you will become caught up in thinking you need to get saved. Christianity is becoming filled up with prideful "Christians" who think they are holy and worthy of salvation, while looking down their noses on other Christians, claiming that these "imposters" are not saved. I am sick and tired of "Christians" that have placed themselves on pedestals. They claim that they were saved by faith, but then they brag of how they no longer live in sin, and that those who continue to sin are not saved. This arrogance is unbiblical. Note the following:
Romans 3:20-28: "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his (God's) sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law."
Here is what you should learn from the preceding passage: The law gives the knowledge of sin. Keeping the law will never make a person good enough in God's sight. God has a form of righteousness to give you that does not involve the law, and that righteousness is given to those who believe on Jesus Christ. We are all sinners. We are all on a level playing field. God does not play favorites. We all come up short in God's sight, and God deals with us all in the same way. If we trust in Jesus Christ, God places the righteousness of Christ onto our records. God set Jesus Christ aside to be the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. We don't become or stay saved due to any righteousness of our own. The righteousness of Jesus Christ eliminates our sin in the sight of God. We cannot boast of anything we have done, because none of it plays any part in our salvation, past, present, or future. We are saved because of our faith.
Philippians 3:9: "And be found in him (Jesus Christ), not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:"
The only righteousness we can earn comes from obeying the law. We already know that the deeds of the law will save no one, meaning a person's own righteousness will never be enough to save them That is why the emphasis is on the righteousness of Jesus Christ. This is what you need if you want to be saved, and there is only one way to get it.
Romans 4:5-6: "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,"
Romans 5:1: "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:"
Do not have confidence in what you can do.
Philippians 3:3: "For we (believers in the age of grace) are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh."
Have you believed in the Gospel of Christ? If so, then you are saved. Don't you let any Leaky Faucet Christians trouble you by demanding that you keep the law and abandon all sin. Believers in the age of grace are not under the law (Romans 6:14). Believers should perform good works, not in order to maintain salvation, but rather because these are profitable for the believer (Titus 3:8) and keep believers from being unfruitful (Titus 3:14).
The bottom line: Believers are not in subjection to the law. The law was written for the Jews and was Old Testament. Jesus Christ brought grace and truth with Him (John 1:17), and Jesus became the mediator of the New Testament (Hebrews 9:15). The New Testament is better than the Old Testament (Hebrews 8:6), and believers under the New Testament should not desire to place themselves under the Old Testament (Galatians 4:9, 5:1-6).
In Closing
Folks, life is tough. While we are here on earth, we have plenty of things to be troubled about. But let me tell you what you don't need to be troubled about: Salvation, the Tribulation, or the law. If you have believed on Jesus Christ, then you are saved forever, God will not leave you here for the Tribulation, and the law has no power over you. Don't let any Leaky Faucet Christians trouble you about these things. The next time one of these religious troublemakers preaches their nonsense at you, this is all you should hear:
"Drip.... Drip.... Drip.... Drip...."
When you hear that, you just turn that leaky faucet off and rest assured in the promises of God.
1st Corinthians 2:5: "That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."
And just what is "the power of God"?
Romans 1:16: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."
Man's wisdom is foolishness (1st Corinthians 1:20). Man uses religion to trouble you. God wants you to be secure through Jesus Christ. Religion is a trap. Jesus Christ is freedom. Don't believe the lies of Leaky Faucet Christians and their false religions. Don't let them trouble you.
Did you know that there are a lot of "Christians" out there who are leaky faucets? I don't know whether they are actually saved or not, but they are leaky faucets. How so? They seem to get pleasure out of ruining the calm of other Christians. Did you know that Christians are supposed to have security? I'll prove this a little later.
Life is tough. We have bills to pay. We have jobs to go to. We have responsibilities. We have these responsibilities in order to have security. We all want security. We want to feel safe. We want to know that we will have food to eat. We want to know that we have shelter. And yet, these things are temporary. What about eternal things? Surely we would like to feel a sense of security about eternal things, right? The Bible teaches that Christians are meant to have security. And yet, there are people who work tirelessly to undermine this security. Here are some examples of what you will hear these people say:
"If you were truly saved, you wouldn't be sinning anymore!"
"LOL! You think you get saved simply by believing on Jesus Christ?? That is a lie of Satan!"
"There is no such thing as eternal security! You can lose your salvation!"
All of this nonsense equates to the following:
"Drip.... Drip.... Drip.... Drip...."
There are other securities that people like to steal away from Christians. Here are some more examples of what you will encounter:
"These stupid Christians that think the Rapture is Pre-Tribulation! They just believe that because they can't handle the truth! They will be totally unprepared when they are left here during the Tribulation!"
"Christians are expected to obey the Ten Commandments! Jesus kept them, and we must live by His example! If you are not striving to obey the Ten Commandments, then you were never saved!"
And once again, this is all I hear:
"Drip.... Drip.... Drip.... Drip...."
Have you ever been troubled about something? Maybe you were short on money. Maybe you had difficulty finding a job. There are many things that are troubling in this world. Did you know that there are people who want to trouble you about far more important things? These people belong to that dreaded denomination known as "Leaky Faucet Christianity." They have a very simple goal: They want to trouble people who have believed on Jesus Christ. This has been going on for a long time. Read the following three verses of Scripture.
Galatians 1:7: "Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ."
2nd Thessalonians 2:2: "That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand."
Acts 15:24: "Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:"
Did you notice a common theme to these three verses? The theme is "trouble." Each of these verses deals with a group of Christians getting troubled by people trying to take away their security. Let's examine these three breaches of security.
Salvation
There are many verses of Scripture which make it clear that becoming saved is very simple. Here are just a few:
John 5:47: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me hath everlasting life." - Jesus Christ
Romans 10:9: "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."
1st Peter 1:5: "Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
Now, let's jump right in. The apostle Paul had learned that the believers in the churches in Galatia were confused about their salvation. They had been saved by believing on Jesus Christ, but they had since then come to believe that the works of the law played a part in their salvation. Note how Paul confronts these confused believers.
Galatians 1:6-9: "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed."
What is the Gospel of Christ?
1st Corinthians 15:1-4: "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:"
What does the Gospel of Christ do?
Romans 1:16: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."
The Gospel of Christ teaches that Jesus Christ died for the sins of the world, was buried, and rose again three days later. Believing the Gospel of Christ results in eternal salvation. But what was Paul's warning?
"...there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ."
Watch out. There are people out there who mess with the Gospel of Christ. Why do they do this? It keeps lost people lost and steals away the security of those who are already saved. Now let's look at some interesting things that Paul had to say to these Galatian believers who had been troubled about their salvation.
Galatians 2:4: "And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:"
Translation: Fake Christians had infiltrated the churches and did not like the freedom that the true Christians had. They looked for ways to destroy that freedom, or security. Paul reminded these Galatian believers how they had been saved.
Galatians 2:16: "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."
Galatians 3:1-3: "O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit (they had believed on Jesus Christ), are ye now made perfect by the flesh (the works they performed)?"
Galatians 3:21-26: "Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus."
Paul was upset. These Galatian believers had been presented with the truth, and now someone had perverted the Gospel of Christ and caused these Galatian believers to think that their salvation was dependent on performing the works of the law. This would mean that a person could lose his or her salvation.
Galatians 5:4-8: "Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you."
Who "calls" out to the lost?
1st Corinthians 1:9: "God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord."
God calls out to the unsaved because He wants people to become saved. Paul reminded the Galatian believers that the perverted teachings of those fake Christians who had infiltrated the churches had not come from God. What did Paul say about those people who were perverting the Gospel of Christ?
Galatians 5:10: "I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be."
Whoever was perverting the Gospel of Christ and troubling the believers would have to face judgment for this.
Galatians 5:12: "I would they were even cut off which trouble you."
Paul desired that whoever was troubling the believers in Galatia would be cut off and removed from among them. Do you know why? Believers on Jesus Christ are supposed to have security.
1st John 5:13: "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."
The Gospel of Christ saves the soul of the person who believes in it. Anyone who says otherwise is perverting the plan of God, and they are simply trying to trouble you. Don't be troubled. Salvation is a free gift (Romans 5:15, Ephesians 2:8), and it cannot be lost (Ephesians 1:13, 1st Corinthians 3:15).
(There are many ways that the Gospel of Christ is perverted. One such way is when people say you must "repent of your sins" to be saved. These people typically define "repent" to mean "turn away from." This is a serious error that has created a false gospel. Read my page "Repentance 101" for lots of information on this topic. There is nothing you must give up to be saved besides your unbelief in the Gospel of Christ. The law gives us the knowledge of sin (Romans 3:20). When people tell you that you must turn away from your sins to become or to stay saved, they are essentially saying that you must obey the law. Don't listen to this nonsense. Christians still sin because they are still human and have to deal with a body that was born into sin. Read Romans 7 and 1st Corinthians 3:1-4. And don't forget about 1st John 1:8.)
Have you believed in the Gospel of Christ? If so, then you are saved. Don't you let any Leaky Faucet Christians trouble you about your salvation. You are sealed (Ephesians 1:13, 4:30), purchased (1st Corinthians 6:20, 7:23), and secure (1st John 5:13).
The bottom line: Salvation is secure for the person who has believed in the Gospel of Christ.
The Tribulation
The book of 1st Thessalonians was a letter written by the apostle Paul to the church in Thessalonica. Paul described the Rapture to these believers in this letter.
1st Thessalonians 4:15-18: "For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep (deceased). For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words."
Note that Christians are supposed to "comfort one another with these words." This was written to remind believers not to be too sad about the passing of loved ones who were also believers. At the Rapture, all believers, alive and deceased, will be caught up to meet Jesus in the air. Please recall the following verse:
1st John 5:13: "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."
God wants Christians to have the security of knowing that they are forever saved. God also wants Christians to have the security of knowing that they will be reunited with their saved loved ones at the Rapture. This is not the only reason that the Rapture is supposed to provide comfort. Imagine the worst possible disaster that could ever happen. And then imagine someone telling you that you will be spared of having to experience it. What a comforting thought! Will believers saved during the age of grace be left on earth to endure the Tribulation? Sometime after receiving Paul's first letter, the Thessalonian believers became confused and thought that because of the tribulations they were experiencing, they were living in THE Tribulation. Word of this got back to Paul, and he wrote a second letter to the Thessalonian believers. Chapter one opens with Paul's greeting to his fellow brothers and sister in Christ, and then chapter two reveals the purpose for Paul's second letter.
2nd Thessalonians 2:1-3: "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ (the return of Jesus Christ at the end of the Tribulation) is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;"
Paul told these believers to "be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled". When a Christian thinks that he or she will have to go through the Tribulation, it is a troubling thought. The Rapture provides comfort, assuring Christians that they will not be left on earth to face the Tribulation. The Tribulation cannot begin until the antichrist (the man of sin) is revealed, and that cannot occur until "there come a falling away first". The phrase "a falling away" was translated from the Greek word "apostasia," which means "a departure," and this refers to the Rapture. Recall the context of Paul's message. Paul was pleading with these believers "by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him" that they would not be troubled. The gathering that Paul mentioned is the Rapture, and because of the Rapture, Christians have no need to be troubled concerning the Tribulation. Imagine that you knew of some horrible event that was going to occur on earth in 500 years. Would you be troubled about it? You would have no reason to fear, because you are not going to be alive on earth in 500 years. The same concept applies to the Tribulation. Believers on Jesus Christ in the age of grace have no business being troubled about this terrible event because they are not going to be left on earth to experience it, as it is a period of time never meant for them. You have to understand God's timetable (different ages) and methods (different Gospels) when it comes to His dealings with Jews and Gentiles. For the Jews, God operated by the law. For the Gentiles, God operates by grace. At the end of the age of law (Luke 16:16), the Gospel of the Kingdom was presented to the Jews by John the Baptist, Jesus Christ, and the twelve disciples (Matthew 9:35, 3:2, 4:17, and 10:5-7), and this message was to be taken only to the Jews (Matthew 10:5-6, 15:24). The Jews rejected this Gospel and crucified their King (Jesus Christ). After Jesus was resurrected and returned to Heaven, the Gospel of Christ was presented to the Jews (Acts 2), then the Gentiles (Acts 10), and came into full effect after God appointed Paul as the official apostle of the age of grace (Acts 9:15). Peter was the apostle to the Jews (Galatians 2:7-8), while Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles (Galatians 2:7-8). Paul's writings to the churches he helped to form apply to all believers in the age of grace. The concepts of salvation by simple faith in Christ and the Rapture are found in Paul's writings. The age of grace must run its course (Romans 11:25), and in this age, God's grace is upon those who put their faith in God's Son, and believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13). When the Rapture occurs, the Holy Spirit will be taken back to Heaven (2nd Thessalonians 2:7), along with all believers saved and sealed during the age of grace (1st Thessalonians 4:16-17). With God's grace now gone, the Gospel of the Kingdom will return (Matthew 24:14), and the Tribulation will begin immediately. The Tribulation will see God's wrath poured out on the earth.
Revelation 6:17: "For the great day of his (God's) wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?"
God's wrath is not meant for believers in the age of grace.
1st Thessalonians 5:9: "For God hath not appointed us (believers in the age of grace) to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,"
Do you know who God is going to be directing His wrath at during the Tribulation? Who rejected their King? Who crucified the Son of God?
1st Thessalonians 2:14-16: "For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews: Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost."
The Gospel of the Kingdom was strictly for the Jews at the end of the age of law. When the Gospel of the Kingdom returns for the Tribulation, its use clues you in to who God is dealing with once again. (For much more on the Rapture and the Tribulation, please read my article "Dividing the Word" part two.)
Have you believed in the Gospel of Christ? If so, then you are saved. Don't you let any Leaky Faucet Christians trouble you regarding the Tribulation. You won't be here for it.
The bottom line: Believers in the age of grace will not experience the Tribulation due to the Rapture. The Rapture will signal the end of the age of grace by removing its elements (believers on Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and God's grace), as these have no place on earth during the Tribulation. The Tribulation is marked by a different Gospel and the return of prophets (Revelation 11:3-7), and it has a different group of people in mind than those targeted by the age of grace. (Please read my article "Dividing the Word" part two and the sub-article "The Rapture Continued" to learn about the Rapture and the Biblical evidence supporting the Pre-Tribulation stance.)
The Law
Acts 15:1: "And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved."
Acts 15:5: "But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them (Gentile believers), and to command them to keep the law of Moses."
Did believers on Jesus Christ have to obey the law of Moses? Did they need to be circumcised?
Acts 15:6-11: "And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they (Gentile believers)."
The apostles reached the conclusion that it was faith in Jesus Christ that saved the soul. This meant that obeying the law and being circumcised were not requirements for salvation. The apostles wanted to make this clear to the churches that had been affected by this corrupt doctrine that mixed faith and law.
Acts 15:22-24: "Then pleased it the apostles and elders with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas and Silas, chief men among the brethren: And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia. Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:"
Believers had been troubled by having the law and circumcision forced upon them. They had been taught that faith in Jesus Christ was all that was necessary for salvation, and then other requirements had been given to them, sort of like hidden taxes and fees. The apostles made it clear: They did not give any such commandments. Those extra requirements were wrongly added by others. Look at what happened when this news was shared:
Acts 15:30-31: "So when they were dismissed, they (the men chosen to deliver the letters written by the apostles) came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle (letter): Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation."
Do you know what "consolation" is? It is relief, or comfort. The believers were comforted to learn that they did not need to be in subjection to the law or be circumcised to be saved. Believers are meant to be comforted with the knowledge that God does not require these things for salvation. Do you remember another thing believers are meant to be comforted about? Believers are to be comforted with the knowledge that they will not have to endure the Tribulation. Do you see how comfort and consolation are identical? This is what God desires for His children, not the "trouble" that others try to force onto true Christians. People were trying to trouble Christians long ago. This practice still goes on today. There are many "Christians" who are double-talkers. They tell you that simple faith in Jesus Christ saves the soul. Then once you are interested, they slip in hidden requirements such as turning away from all your sins and performing good works. This troubles the soul of the person who has been saved or desires to be saved, placing an impossible burden on them. I have even seen the ridiculous claim made that a Christian must "hate" sin. This is complete nonsense. A Christian is still human, and thus the things that appeal to the flesh will still appeal to a Christian after he or she has been saved. The apostle Paul himself struggled with sin, because he was still human. Read Romans 7, where Paul describes the struggle of human nature versus spiritual nature. You see, here is what these double-talking, Leaky Faucet Christians are secretly doing: They are trying to make you believe that your salvation is dependent on factors other than your belief in Jesus Christ. Do you know why they do this? Because this teaching causes you to place your faith in your own works. When you think you are doing well in your Christian walk, you will become prideful, which is a sin (Proverbs 16:18-19). When you think you are doing poorly in your Christian walk, you will doubt your salvation, and then instead of dealing with you faults, you will become caught up in thinking you need to get saved. Christianity is becoming filled up with prideful "Christians" who think they are holy and worthy of salvation, while looking down their noses on other Christians, claiming that these "imposters" are not saved. I am sick and tired of "Christians" that have placed themselves on pedestals. They claim that they were saved by faith, but then they brag of how they no longer live in sin, and that those who continue to sin are not saved. This arrogance is unbiblical. Note the following:
Romans 3:20-28: "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his (God's) sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law."
Here is what you should learn from the preceding passage: The law gives the knowledge of sin. Keeping the law will never make a person good enough in God's sight. God has a form of righteousness to give you that does not involve the law, and that righteousness is given to those who believe on Jesus Christ. We are all sinners. We are all on a level playing field. God does not play favorites. We all come up short in God's sight, and God deals with us all in the same way. If we trust in Jesus Christ, God places the righteousness of Christ onto our records. God set Jesus Christ aside to be the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. We don't become or stay saved due to any righteousness of our own. The righteousness of Jesus Christ eliminates our sin in the sight of God. We cannot boast of anything we have done, because none of it plays any part in our salvation, past, present, or future. We are saved because of our faith.
Philippians 3:9: "And be found in him (Jesus Christ), not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:"
The only righteousness we can earn comes from obeying the law. We already know that the deeds of the law will save no one, meaning a person's own righteousness will never be enough to save them That is why the emphasis is on the righteousness of Jesus Christ. This is what you need if you want to be saved, and there is only one way to get it.
Romans 4:5-6: "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,"
Romans 5:1: "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:"
Do not have confidence in what you can do.
Philippians 3:3: "For we (believers in the age of grace) are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh."
Have you believed in the Gospel of Christ? If so, then you are saved. Don't you let any Leaky Faucet Christians trouble you by demanding that you keep the law and abandon all sin. Believers in the age of grace are not under the law (Romans 6:14). Believers should perform good works, not in order to maintain salvation, but rather because these are profitable for the believer (Titus 3:8) and keep believers from being unfruitful (Titus 3:14).
The bottom line: Believers are not in subjection to the law. The law was written for the Jews and was Old Testament. Jesus Christ brought grace and truth with Him (John 1:17), and Jesus became the mediator of the New Testament (Hebrews 9:15). The New Testament is better than the Old Testament (Hebrews 8:6), and believers under the New Testament should not desire to place themselves under the Old Testament (Galatians 4:9, 5:1-6).
In Closing
Folks, life is tough. While we are here on earth, we have plenty of things to be troubled about. But let me tell you what you don't need to be troubled about: Salvation, the Tribulation, or the law. If you have believed on Jesus Christ, then you are saved forever, God will not leave you here for the Tribulation, and the law has no power over you. Don't let any Leaky Faucet Christians trouble you about these things. The next time one of these religious troublemakers preaches their nonsense at you, this is all you should hear:
"Drip.... Drip.... Drip.... Drip...."
When you hear that, you just turn that leaky faucet off and rest assured in the promises of God.
1st Corinthians 2:5: "That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."
And just what is "the power of God"?
Romans 1:16: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."
Man's wisdom is foolishness (1st Corinthians 1:20). Man uses religion to trouble you. God wants you to be secure through Jesus Christ. Religion is a trap. Jesus Christ is freedom. Don't believe the lies of Leaky Faucet Christians and their false religions. Don't let them trouble you.