The Laws of Flight

The law of gravity kept men on the ground for thousands of years. As a rule, those who tried to break the law found themselves smashed to bits on the unforgiving ground. It took years of theory and study before people began to understand how to create lift that could counteract the law of gravity. And it was years beyond that when the concepts of thrust and drag began to be understood. The result? Today man can use his knowledge to fly! Amazing!

The funny thing is, that much the same situation exists in the spiritual realm. There is a set of spiritual laws, every bit as unforgiving as the physical law of gravity. And those who break these laws find themselves smashed under the gavel of justice. These laws ring true in every person's inner being... their own conscience tells them these laws are "true" and "good" -- and that to break them is "wrong." What are these laws? God's Ten Commandments. Think I'm kidding? Check them out yourself:

Have you ever told a lie?
If you said "yes," then according to God's standards, you are a liar. (Revelation 21:8)

Have you ever stolen anything, no matter how small?
If you said "yes," then according to God's standards, you are a thief. (1 Corinthians 6:10)

Have you ever used God's name in vain?
If you said "yes," then according to God's standards, you are a blasphemer. (Matthew 12:36)

Have you ever looked at someone with lust (sexual desire)?
If you said "yes," then according to God's standards, you are an adulterer. (Matthew 5:28, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

Have you ever felt hatred for anyone?
If you said "yes," then according to God's standards, you are a murderer. (1 John 3:15, Revelation 21:8)

If you're honest you're going to admit that you've broken these laws (called "sin"), and that you did it knowing that what you were doing was wrong. Your own conscience points the finger and says "guilty!" If you stand before God in this state, he will perform justice. If you are guilty of breaking His Laws, you will join all the other lawbreakers in the place of punishment -- a place Jesus warned us about called "Hell."

But it doesn't have to be that way. Just as the forces of lift and thrust can counteract the law of gravity, God has provided a way that you can avoid Hell.

Do you realize that Jesus never even once broke one of God's laws? Never. He was completely innocent. Yet he chose to be your stand-in -- to take your punishment for you -- by dying on the cross. He took all your guilt upon himself and suffered the punishment so that you wouldn't have to pay for your own crimes by spending eternity in Hell. He didn't have to do it -- He did it because of his great compassion for you. Then he rose from the dead, defeating death forever!

God's word says that if you will repent (feel sorrow abour your sins, and turn away from them) and place your faith in Jesus, he will wipe away every sin you've ever committed, and that even though you deserve Hell... you'll go to Heaven instead. Not because of anything "good" you could ever do, but because of Jesus' sacrifice. So don't wait another moment. Talk to God right where you are now. Tell him you're sorry for your sins, and that you're grateful that Jesus took the punishment in your place. Ask him to save you from Hell through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Imagine you're on an airplane that's going down, and think of Jesus as the parachute. When it comes time for you to jump out, He’s the only thing that’s going to be able to save you. Put all your faith in Him, and hold on to Him for dear life. Then read your Bible daily and obey what you read.