Romans Road, A Guide To Salvation

So many times and so many different ways this has been presented. Here's my shot at it 

 The Romans Road to Salvation

 Today, we walk together down a path laid out in the Book of Romans, a road that leads us to the heart of the gospel—the good news of Jesus Christ. This "Romans Road" is a clear and powerful map, showing us our need for a Savior and God’s gracious provision for our salvation. As we journey through these scriptures, let us open our hearts to the truth of God’s Word and respond to His call. 

 Step 1: All Have Sinned

 The first marker on this road is found in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” This verse is a sobering reminder that every one of us—without exception—has sinned. Sin is not just the big, obvious wrongs we might think of, like murder or theft. It’s anything that falls short of God’s perfect, holy standard. It’s the lies we tell, the anger we harbor, the selfish choices we make, or even the good we fail to do. We were created to reflect God’s glory, but our sin separates us from Him. Can any of us say we’ve lived a perfect life? No, we all stand guilty before a holy God.

 Step 2: The Wages of Sin 

 This brings us to the next stop on the Romans Road, Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” A wage is what we earn, what we deserve. The Bible tells us that the consequence of our sin is death—not just physical death, but spiritual death, eternal separation from God in a place of judgment called hell. This is the bad news: our sin has a cost, and it’s more than we can bear. But praise God, the verse doesn’t end there! It points to a gift—eternal life through Jesus Christ. While we’ve earned death, God offers life as a free gift to those who turn to Him. 

 Step 3: God’s Love in Christ

 How is this gift possible? Romans 5:8 declares, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Here’s the heart of the gospel: God loves you, even in your sinfulness. He didn’t wait for you to clean up your life or become “good enough.” While we were still rebels against Him, Jesus, the sinless Son of God, took our place on the cross. He bore the punishment for our sins—every lie, every lust, every moment of pride. Jesus died, was buried, and rose again on the third day, proving His victory over sin and death. This is love beyond comprehension, that God Himself would pay the price we owed.

 Step 4: Confess and Believe

 So, how do we receive this gift of eternal life? Romans 10:9-10 shows us the way: “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Salvation is not about earning God’s favor through good works, religious rituals, or moral effort. It’s about faith—trusting in Jesus alone as your Savior and Lord. To believe in your heart means to place your full trust in Christ’s finished work on the cross. To confess Him as Lord means to surrender your life to His authority, acknowledging that He is the King of your life. This is the moment of salvation, when you turn from your sin and trust in Jesus alone.

 Step 5: Call on His Name 

 Finally, Romans 10:13 assures us, “For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” This promise is for everyone—no exceptions. It doesn’t matter how far you’ve strayed, how deep your sin, or how unworthy you feel. God’s grace is sufficient for all who call on Him. To call on the name of the Lord is to cry out in faith, asking Him to save you, to forgive your sins, and to make you a new creation. It’s a simple act, but it changes everything—your past is forgiven, your present is transformed, and your future is secure in Christ.

 The Call to Respond 

 Friends, the Romans Road is not just a set of verses; it’s a journey to eternal life. Today, God is calling you to take that step of faith. If you’ve never trusted Christ as your Savior, now is the time. Acknowledge your sin, believe in Jesus’ death and resurrection for you, and call on Him to save you. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 6:2, “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” Don’t wait—respond to His love today. For those of us who have already trusted Christ, this road reminds us of the gospel we’re called to share. There are people in your life—family, friends, coworkers—who need to hear this good news. Let’s boldly proclaim that salvation is found in Jesus alone, for there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12).

 Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word and the clear path of salvation You’ve laid out for us. Convict hearts today of their need for Jesus. Grant faith to those who are far from You, and embolden Your people to share the gospel. May we all walk the Romans Road, leading others to the cross. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 DMMc. 6-1-25