We have a gentleman in our congregation who is a retired pilot from a major American airline. While teaching, he noted that there are things a pilot must do before he can take off in a plane. He noted, “There are 179 items on my checklist, and for my forty-year career, I checked every one of those items every time.” When you listen to people speak, you often learn something you did not know.

If I were on his plane, I would be happy to know that he checked all 179 items before the plane ever left the terminal. As a matter of fact, if I were flying on a plane, it would not bother me if he checked them twice. After all, his ability to pilot an air worthy, fully functional plane is potentially the difference between life and death.

What if he did not complete his checklist prior to taking off in the plane? Could you imagine your pilot getting on the public address system and saying, “Ladies and gentlemen, I have 179 items on my checklist that I am supposed to go over before leaving the terminal, but I have decided to check only half of those items. Enjoy your flight!” If I heard such an announcement, I would do my best to exit the plane and catch another flight. I would imagine any reasonable person who wanted to have a longer life would probably feel the same way.

We understand this concept when it comes to items that potentially endanger our lives, but this is not always the case when it comes to spiritual considerations that can condemn our souls to eternal punishment. If we are diligent to protect our physical lives, we should be even more diligent to protect our souls. Seems reasonable to me.

Just as we would not want a pilot to skip a few steps prior to takeoff, we should not want to skip items pertaining to eternal life in the Bible. Still, there are people who skip or totally ignore commandments that are very plainly written and easy to understand.

There are those who want to skip a few steps in what the Bible outlines as the plan of redemption. Most protestant denominationalists are okay with a person needing faith to be saved, but they struggle with the biblical ideas of repentance and baptism.

One should not skip things Jesus commanded or attempt to make them unimportant. Jesus commanded repentance in Luke 13:3 and 5. Both passages say, “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish…I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish." If repentance in connection with discipleship was not important, Jesus would not have mentioned it twice in these passages.

Furthermore, the Apostle Paul makes it clear that the Corinthian brethren repented of their former, sinful manner of living. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 says, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” These passages make it clear that repentance is a step that cannot be overlooked in God’s plan of salvation.

Over the years, I have had a few interesting conversations with members of denominational groups who have attempted to argue that faith and repentance are the same things. Sadly, they are mistaken in their assumptions. Faith develops from hearing and responding in a positive fashion to God’s word. Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Consequently, Biblical faith is more than just simple, personal belief. All the great heroes of faith acted upon the commandments of God (cf. Hebrews 11:1-40). Their faith was coupled with action. James 2:17-20 says, “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?” The relationship between faith and works is complimentary not contradictory!

Finally, many religious people what to skip what the Bible teaches about baptism. Some in protestant denominationalism say that baptism is an outward sign of something that took place at the point of faith and that a person was saved by “faith alone.” Again, why would any person skip a step that Jesus commanded? Mark 16:16 says, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”

As a matter of fact, the Apostle Peter makes it plain that one is saved at the point of baptism. Just as Noah and his family were saved from the waters of the flood, modern converts to Christ are saved at the point of reacting in a positive manner to the preaching of the gospel by being immersed. 1 Peter 3:21 says, “There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

One flying on a plane would not want the pilot to skip a step in preparing to take off in flight. Why would any person want to skip a step that would endanger a person’s eternal soul to condemnation. Having a safe flight is important, but having eternal life is of greater importance. Philippians 2:12-13 says, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”