The Roman Road is a series of scriptures from the Bible that explains what’s necessary to obtain salvation. If we asked someone the question: “What are you being saved from?”, we may hear they’re being saved from an eternity in Hell. That’s true; however, we can take the definition of salvation a step further.
Romans 3:23 is the first verse in the Roman Road. Sin is the act of doing something wrong in the sight of God – or a lack of doing something God commands us to do. Sin is immoral. This scripture tells us that everyone has sinned in some form – no matter how major or minor. When we sin, we cannot have a relationship with a perfect God. He is perfect. Therefore, He cannot relate to the flawed – else, He would be imperfect.
Romans 6:23 starts by telling us there is a price for sin that everyone must pay, and it’s an eternal, spiritual death.
This separation from God is so much more of a punishment than the tormenting fires of Hell. Don’t get me wrong, Hell is scary and that alone has contributed to many turning to God, including myself, but to never be in the presence of the Creator is downright depressing.
While the payment for sin is an eternal death, notice there’s an “out.” This verse talks about a gift of eternal life. This means we have a choice to make. Eternal death or eternal life? When someone presents us with a gift, there are two things that must happen:
- Someone must have paid for the gift in some way, and
- We must accept the gift for it to be ours.
The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ is our gift. That He paid the price of death so we wouldn’t have to, and He’s offering that gift to us. We can accept it as that – no exchanges involved. We aren’t required to do anything in return. Although, once we’re saved and have recognized the sacrifice that Jesus made for us, we should want to do something for Him, whether it be to spread the good news about Jesus or simply follow His commandments.
Romans 5:8 states that the price of that gift was already paid by Christ Himself by dying on the cross for our sins. Even though He knew we were, are, and will continue to be sinners as we live on this Earth, God loved us enough to send His son to die for us (John 3:16).
Yes, we’re sinners, but He still wants to have a relationship with us! Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice needed and because He was the only person that has walked the face of the world without sin (Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22), He could pay the price for all.
Romans 10:9-10 tells us when the heart believes, the mouth confesses. If we admit that we need Jesus’ sacrifice to go to Heaven, and believe that God raised Him from the dead, then we’ll be saved.
This is reiterated in the final verse of the Roman Road: Romans 10:13. Notice the Bible says “whoever” – rich, poor, old, young, sick, healthy, male, female. There are zero restrictions as to who can be saved. No matter what our sin, Jesus’ sacrifice was enough.
We don’t have to have exquisite words. We don’t have to chant a specific prayer. We can just believe, call on Jesus, and He knows what we mean. He promises that if we trust in Jesus, He will save us and vouch for us when we enter Heaven.
Self-Reflection
Take a moment to reflect on your own salvation experience. If you cannot pinpoint a time when you have accepted Jesus Christ as your only Savior, now is your opportunity. Now is the best time.
How can your unique personality be used to witness to others? Are you ready to use that trait for God’s glory?
