Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. (NIV)

Have you ever heard of the Roman roads? Did you know:

- About 1,900 years ago, there were over 250,000 miles of roads connecting the provinces to Rome.  

- A fifth of all of the roads were paved in stone.

- The Romans constructed more than 1,800 miles of roads in Britain. Many of these routes are still used today.

- The widths of the Roman roads impacted the size of the U.S space shuttle boosters – you’ll have to Google that one to find out more.

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Now, have you ever heard of “the Romans Road?” This may sound a bit churchy, but there is a method to discuss the path to salvation called the Romans Road – a series of verses in Romans that clearly walks the path or road to salvation. It's not a physical road, but a conceptual one that discusses God's plan for salvation. The Romans Road can be 5-8 verses long, and it typically goes like this:

The first step or verse on the Romans Road is Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” We have all sinned and fall short of God’s standard.

The second verse on the Romans Road is Romans 6:23a: “For the wages of sin is death.” The punishment for sin is eternal death.

The third verse on the Romans Road is Romans 6:23b: “But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” God offers life even though we deserve death!

The fourth verse on the Romans Road is Romans 5:8: “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Jesus Christ died for us, and by doing so, paid the price for our sins.

The fifth verse on the Romans Road is Romans 10:9: “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” All we have to do is accept God’s gift and believe in His Son, Jesus.

Taken by itself, today’s verse addresses most of the steps of the Romans Road described above – it has sin (one trespass), condemnation, Jesus’ sacrifice (one righteous act), justification, and more. But it’s missing one thing – the finish. It doesn’t talk about accepting Jesus. It doesn’t talk about believing in Him and confessing Him as Lord. Like a road that doesn’t quite get to the finish, this verse gets the reader most of the way to salvation, but on its own, not far enough.

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If you’re a believer, you have already traveled the path to salvation.  But you also know the road doesn’t end at salvation. Your walk with God continues until He calls us home.  How are you continuing down the road of your faith today?

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If you’re not a believer, there may be many reasons you have not accepted Jesus. Maybe it sounds like an odd way to receive salvation. Humans feel like we should have to earn it, but we can’t earn salvation. The only way to receive it is to accept the gift. Even though the gift is provided freely to us, many people are still waiting to take the final step and accept God’s free gift. Hopefully you know that there are people at ACF who would love to talk to you about how to accept Jesus – ask to talk to someone this week at church!

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What about you – where are you on the Romans Road and beyond?

If you’re already a believer: “Dear God, thank You for the gift of Jesus and for salvation. Thank You for choosing me, for forgiving me, and for Your many blessings, grace, and mercy.  Thank You for Your Son, Jesus, and for His sacrifice. Help me to walk on Your path. Help me to see the person You’ve put into my life who needs help down the Romans Road. In Jesus’ Name I Pray, Amen.

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If you are ready to take the final step into salvation: “Dear God, I believe in You and in Your Son, Jesus. Jesus, I believe that You died on the cross to bear the burden of my sin. Come into my heart. Forgive my sins and take control of my life.  Make me who You want me to be. In Your Name I Pray, Amen.

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And if you’re still somewhere on the road, honestly wrestling with your doubts: “Dear God, reveal Your truth and Your way to me. Show me Your path to salvation and eternal life with You. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.