In that Parable, the Captain is our Savior Jesus Christ. The dying man represents the lost sinner. The Captain tells him, “Don’t try to save yourself!” Does this mean, “Don’t do anything,” which is to say, “Don’t listen to Me or follow My instructions”? Even a dazed and drowning man knows better. He understands the Captain’s words in their context. Indeed, the Captain shows His meaning: “Don’t try to pull yourself up the rope.” That does not mean, “Do nothing at all.” It does not mean, “never touch my lifeline.” That lifeline is part of the rescue by the Captain. To hold His lifeline while He saves you is no foolish and vain effort to save yourself by your own strength (see 1 Timothy 6:12; Hebrews 6:18). How is the drowning man saved? By the grace—the sheer kindness—of his Rescuer (Titus 3:5). What bargaining power does the drowning man have? None! His rescue is a free gift (Romans 6:23). He does nothing to earn it, and nothing to deserve it. Yet none of that removes the need to respond in the way the Rescuer Himself instructs.
The point of all this will become clearer as we study response to the Gospel. As a kind of voluntary homework for this course, you may wish to read Romans and Galatians with added care. As an exercise in fairness and balance, mark every passage that shows any human response tied by Paul to salvation. In the meantime, let’s consider James’ side of the equation. James also has a store of surprises!