Some people who fly have superstitious rituals that they go through as the plane takes off. One man whirls his finger around in a circle faster and faster as the plane accelerates down the runway. A married couple always lifts their feet while the plane is going down the runway to take off. Still another fellow lifts up on the armrest to get the plane into the air.

These are intelligent people who otherwise behave normally, but they somehow think that they are actually helping the airplane to fly. One psychiatrist says that these little rituals give people the feeling of being in control.

Many people like to feel that they can control their own eternal destiny. Sure, they believe in God, but they think they must somehow supply their own power to get to heaven. They think that by avoiding certain sins, or by doing good deeds, or by going to the right church they can earn their reward in the hereafter.

But the Bible says “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

God does expect us to do good works. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

But when it comes to saving us, God doesn’t need our help. He’s taken care of that himself!