THE ROMAN ROAD
Romans 3:22-26 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.
There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished - he did it to demonstrate his justice, at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies the man who has faith in Jesus.
Other than John 3:16 the Roman Road is probably one of the most memorized set of verses in the Bible. They are used mainly for helping encourage people to become a Christian. Because the Baptist denomination stresses the practice of evangelism, the Roman Road is taught at a very early age. I am not saying that this is wrong by any means, because they should be an inspiration for all denominations. With this said I need to also note that it is the Holy Spirit that brings people to Jesus. He convicts people of their sins, the righteousness of Christ and the judgment of God. If we try to help people become Christians on our own, we may get them to say the right words but fail to see their heart changed. They may become religious, but not necessarily lovers of Jesus. They Holy Spirit can use us, the Roman Road and a host of other things to win a person’s heart to Jesus, but new birth comes only through the Holy Spirit. This is why an evangelist needs the gift of wisdom and discernment in helping people become a Christian. We may be ready for them to become a Christian, but they may not be ready. Sometimes it takes years of prayer for people, seeds of love and kindness, many moments of sharing of Christ’s love, before the harvest is ready. An evangelist of God will be used by the Holy Spirit and not try to use the Holy Spirit.
Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fallen short the glory of God.” The only person that has lived their life without sin is Jesus. The Bible tells us that he was without sin. (I Peter 2:22) He did not have the carnal nature as every other person. It was the Holy Spirit that overshadowed Mary that provided a body for Jesus. Only Jesus lived the righteous holy life that God intended for everyone to live. Thus, only Jesus out of all humanity didn’t need a Savior. Because everyone has sinned and needs a savior, God provided an atonement for forgiveness and reconciliation. God devised a plan that the banished might not have to remain estranged from him. (II Samuel 14:14) This plan while kept a mystery in times past, God revealed through his only begotten Son Jesus Christ.
Romans 6:23 says that, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Only through having faith in the grace of Jesus’ atonement can a person escape eternity in hell. Even one sin makes a person a sinner and in need of forgiveness. No amount of good works, obeying the law of God or even desire to be in heaven is enough to negate our obligation to be punished. Only by someone taking our punishment upon themselves can God be justified in forgiving anyone of their sins.
Sin no matter how minor, few or unintended must be punished. And because Jesus is God, infinite in his holiness and righteousness, he could atone for the sins of all humanity. The grace offered through Jesus’ death was more than enough to bring forgiveness to everyone that might ask for it. Where sin abounds, God’s grace abounds even more. (Romans 5:20)
Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Our salvation is not based on what we can do for God, but what he can do for us! We don’t have to become righteous on our own before God will forgive us and reconcile us back to himself. We couldn't be holy and sinless before we wanted to become a Christian, so what makes us think that somehow we can stop sinning in order to become a Christian? We can’t! We have to come to Jesus still in our sinfulness if we are to receive forgiveness. Remember sin is disobedience to God. We can sin by doing what God said not to do, or not doing what he said to do. The greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. No one does this every day every minute. God’s love is reaching out to us in prevenient grace, before we ever reach out to him.
Romans 10:9 says, “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Because of our free will, God expects us to ask Jesus for our forgiveness. He will not force anyone to become a Christian, and we should not do it either. We can make people says certain words, but it only matters what is in our heart! Salvation is so easy a child can do it, but he most learned person can miss it for the hardness of their heart.
Have you asked Jesus to forgive you of your sins and to come into your heart? If not I encourage you to do it before your heart becomes to hard to ever want to do it again.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for coming while we were still in our sinfulness, and providing a way to be forgiven and reconciled to you. We love you Jesus.
