The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going. [John 6:18-20 (ESV)]

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. [Ephesians 2:8 (ESV)]

Several months ago, two young men were fishing from shore at a nearby Florida beach. Seeing a sandbar further out and thinking better fishing might be found there, they swam out to it. Unfamiliar with the ocean, they hadn’t taken into account the rising tide. When they arrived at the sandbar, they found it to be ten feet under water. With no way to stand and rest, the exhausted men panicked and started to swim back to shore. One managed to save himself but the other young man couldn’t and drowned.

If a lifeguard had been present, perhaps this story would have had a better ending. Our southwest Florida beaches, however, have no lifeguards. Although onlookers did their best to find the man in the murky water, they were unsuccessful.

When encountering difficulty in the rough seas of life, sometimes we can save ourselves and sometimes we can’t. When it comes to our final salvation, however, no matter how good we can swim, there is no way we can save ourselves. Fortunately, we have a lifeguard on duty at all times, one who can walk on water, and He is the only one who can truly save us. He offers us the only salvation we really need—all we need to do is believe in Him.

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. [Acts 4:12 (ESV)]

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. [Romans 10:9-10 (ESV)]