S.S. Salvation Ship

I heard James MacDonald make a great analogy of the relationship between holy living and salvation. It goes something like this ...

Salvation is a great ship that takes us to heaven. The way you get on this ship is through repentance and faith. We could ever earn our way on to this ship and there is no precondition for getting on the ship called holiness. But once on the ship, holiness becomes a consuming passion. Those who are truly on the salvation ship can think of only one thing, how to live on the ship the way they will when they reach their destination. Holy Living. This is one sure way to know for sure if you are on the right ship.

There are plenty of other ships in harbor that look like they'll get you to the same destination. The Cultural Christian Cruise Line, the Religious Piety Boat and the Christian Heritage Line.

But it is on the Salvation Ship that we discover a yearning for the ways and things of God that exceed anything on any other ocean liner. If you have no longing for holiness, you've got to check out and see if you got on the right boat. If it's been a while since there was a hunger for righeousness and holiness in your life, then you need to spend some time seeking out the Captian of the Ship and stirring up your hunger for His holiness.