Jumping Out of an Airplane Soon? Forget the Parachute!
Flap Your Arms Really Fast and Save Yourself!
by Pastor Art Kohl
Sounds foolish, doesn't it? Yet everyday millions of people are doing something more dangerous and foolish. They are trying to save themselves. Let me explain:
Sometimes I will ask this question: "Do you believe you will go to Heaven someday?" They respond, "Yes, I believe I will." I then ask, "Upon what do you base your conclusion?"
They usually say something like, "I'm a pretty good person. I try to keep the Ten Commandments and treat others with respect. I've been baptized, confirmed, keep the sacraments, say prayers, etc."
In other words, they are trying to save themselves. It is like jumping out of an airplane without a parachute.
The Bible says, "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 2:16)
The very works they are trusting in to save themselves cannot make them right before God. We are not justified by our works.
We cannot save our souls from sin and its consequences. Proverbs 20:9 says, "Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?"
We are all sinners. We sin constantly. Our list of sins is long and growing every day. No amount of good works or religion can wash away our sins. So why trust in good works or religion to save you? It's like flapping your arms really fast as you free-fall toward death and hell.
Death is sure for us all. God's Word states, "...it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:" (Hebrews 9:27)
This dreadful judgment is described in many places in the Scriptures. Here are a few: "And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." (Revelation 20:14,15)
"But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." (Revelation 21:8)
Salvation is not through our efforts. It is through the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. Consider:
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8,9)
"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;" (Titus 3:5)
Many people will pile into churches this Sunday, arms flapping, spiraling toward hell. What about you?
When someone jumps out of an airplane they put a parachute on. They put their complete trust in the parachute to safely take them to their destination. Not in their ability to flap their arms.
We are saved by faith in Christ alone. Faith is "trust, dependence, and confidence in." Just like your complete faith would be in the parachute to save your life, so your complete faith must be in the Lord Jesus Christ to save your wicked soul from hell.
"...put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ..." (Romans 13:14)
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." (Acts 16:31)
May I suggest that you pray to God about this right now? Perhaps a prayer from your heart, something like this:
"Heavenly Father, I am sorry for my sins and repent from trusting in my dead works. Lord Jesus, save me. I acknowledged that You died on the cross because of me and shed Your blood to save me. I know You are alive forevermore! I trust You – and you alone – to be my Saviour. Come into my life. Have mercy on me and save me. Amen." — Thanks for reading! Pastor Art Kohl
