ARE WE SAVED BY OUR GOOD WORKS?

PARABLE OF THE TRAIN part 1

SAVED BY WORKS

High in the mountains is a mining town, surrounded by a forest of firs and pine trees.

The mayor and owner of the railroad, rings a bell for all the people to gather in the town square.

Most of the people gather rapidly to find out what is going on; while a few ignored the bell staying home taking naps.

The mayor quiets the crowd, then speaks in a serious tone.  "We are evacuating the entire town because there’s a fire storm approaching from different sides.  There will be one last train to safety, and we’re leaving at noon.  Not a minute later."

A railroad worker shouts out, "But the engine on the train isn’t working and will not be able to pull the heavy train loaded with passengers."

The mayor replied, "I understand, so I contacted my son.  He’s bringing a more powerful engine for our train."  

One skeptic says, "We don’t believe he’s going to make it.  He’ll be coming through the forest fire.  Everyone, It’s time we save ourselves."

The mayor replies to the skeptics.  "Don’t be foolish!  If my son says he will be here on time, I believe him.  Have faith!"

The skeptic shouts to the crowd, "Run to the train and get on board.  We have a better plan to save everyone.  If we can pull the train over the first hill, it will be downhill all the way."

The train is parked on the track facing the way leading to the forest fire.  Quickly they disconnect the bad train engine removing it from the rest of the train cars.

People panicking rush into the passenger cars.

Husky men and women get ropes and tie it to the caboose, pulling the train backwards.

They strain, unable to move the large train even one inch.  Cleverly, some workers disconnect the caboose from the passenger cars without being noticed.

The caboose being pulled by men with ropes begins to move away, leaving the passengers behind, yelling out their windows.

The mayor yells to those pulling the caboose.

"Why can't you at least wait for my son to arrive.  He is the way, the truth and the life."

With brute force they are able to move the caboose.

Struggling to the top of the mountain pass, they are about to have an easy ride the rest of the way down the hill to the valley below.

Quickly, the workers gather their ropes and jump inside the caboose.

One worker says, "We are justified by our faith by doing good works.  Who needs the son, when we can save ourselves."

The caboose begins to glide down the hill.  Faster and faster it goes.

One man shouts out, "Where's the brakes?"

Looking out a window they see a sharp turn.  The caboose speeds around the corner, tilting, and crashing into a ravine below.  

The last words heard, "I guess we're not saved by our works,"  as they meet their eternal destiny below.