The Romans Road
“Rome was a poem pressed into service as a city.”
Anatole Broyard
The Romans were good at a lot of things. While touring Europe, I was able to see much of the work they left behind that sometimes looks in better condition than the roads in my hometown of Helena, Montana. But there is a far more important road that winds through the biblical book of Romans. It is well known as the “Romans Road”, and it lays out the biblical plan for salvation in Jesus Christ. Though I do not claim any right to this discovery, I will take the time to write about it and publish it once again, because those of us in Restore Liberty know that true liberty is found in Christ and any liberty on earth is only fleeting in comparison.
When faced with the task of sharing the gospel message, the greatest challenge is in keeping my words few and standing back to let God’s words be magnified. The book of Romans, as penned by the Apostle Paul but inspired by God, speaks for itself. One needs only to walk the road to find out God’s plan of salvation.
1. Why do we need salvation?
Romans 3:23 – for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 3:10 – As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one,”
Every human being falls short of God’s standard, and no human being ever will measure up. As a Christian man, the only thing different about me is that I have accepted Christ. We are all loved equally; we all sin; we all need Christ.
2. What Does It Mean?
Romans 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Our inability to overcome sin in our life means that we are doomed to permanent and eternal spiritual death. Thus the true punishment is separation from our creator not the physical death we will all suffer on earth.
3. What Can Be Done?
Romans 5:8 – But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 10:9 – Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!
Therefore, God’s gift to mankind is Jesus Christ and the fact that Christ paid the price for our sins on the Cross of Calvary, but we must make the choice to accept Him. It is not something that was decided for us.
4. How Do I Know I’m Saved?
Romans 5:1 – Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
God’s promises are perfect; therefore, because He said we can have peace through Jesus Christ, there is nothing we can do to lose our salvation just as there was no way we could earn it.
5. What Now?
Romans 8:1-2 – Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:38-39 – For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
First, live a life of true liberty because you were bought for a price and are condemned no more. You will still not live a sinless life, but He did and gave up that life to pay for your sins so you would not have to.
Second, Christ does not return his purchases. Go forth and share the gospel while living your life knowing that the gift of salvation you have is permanent. It is permanent because God is perfect, not because you will be. Also, know that becoming a child of God does not mean a life of ease. In fact, the opposite is usually true. Your eternity, though, is a different story. Stay tuned next week for my next article, “God Has a Wonderful Plan for Your Life.”
The Romans built things to last but even their work will disappear someday. Christ’s work on the cross is eternal for all who know Him. Follow the Romans Road and you will find the universe’s most perfect destination.
