Parachute

Parachute reprint August 06, 2008

"Well," the man on his first parachute jump is told, "this is your cord for your parachute--right here. Now, if for some reason your first parachute doesn't open, pull this cord here. That's your emergency parachute. Now you're all set to go. The truck will be waiting to pick you up after you land." So the fellow gets up in the plane, and makes his jump. Pulls the first cord. Nothing happens. Pulls the second cord. Nothing happens. "Well," he says, "I betcha that stupid truck won't be there either!"

"John 10:28 and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand. 29) My Father, who hath given them unto me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.

Many would be scholars use this text to explain the theory of 'once saved always saved'. Once you're 'in the Father's hand' you just can't get out of it. So they say. There are several 'rules' to Biblical interpretation that needs to be kept in mind. Scripture should not be taken out of context, and also needs to be put with other scriptures so one gets the whole picture, not just a piece.

Hebrews 6:4 For as touching those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit,

Sounds like salvation to me--once enlightened, tasted of the heavenly gift, made partakers of the Holy Spirit. Sure sounds like salvation.
Hebrews 6:5 and tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come,

Yep...sure does, but what?
Hebrews 6:6 and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

Matthew 7:15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. 16) By their fruits ye shall know them..."

Maybe these folks don't begin to deceive, but if we carry this out to its logical conclusion, it doesn't go anywhere good. Many of these same folks say you can lie, cheat, steal, commit fornication/adultery, murder...the list goes on. You can commit ANY sin, and your ticket to heaven is still valid...no repentance necessary.

1Corinthians 6:9 Or know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with men, 10) nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

So how do we reconcile these two scriptures?

James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he hath been approved, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to them that love him.

Yes, temptation to do wrong does come to each of us.
James 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempteth no man: 14) but each man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed.

God doesn't tempt us, but allows us to be tempted: He gives us the chance to do the right thing.
James 1:15 Then the lust, when it hath conceived, beareth sin: and the sin, when it is fullgrown, bringeth forth death.

We are tempted by our own desires, but:

1Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as man can bear: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it.

we need to pull our own parachute cord, sometimes both of them. Pray...ask God for strength...look for the way of escape. It is there and it will work.

2John 1:8 Look to yourselves, that ye lose not the things which we have wrought, but that ye receive a full reward.

1Corinthians 9:27 but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected.

No, we can't be 'snatched' out of the Father's hand, but we can willfully leave it. And therein lies the danger. May we be ever aware that our enemy, Satan is seeking those whom he may devour. Don't let us be deceived, and don't let us ever 'slip' out of the Father's hand.

Remember to use your parachute!