Join me as we walk down memory lane and consider how the Romans Road applies to our own need for gospel renewal.
You may be familiar with the Romans Road to Salvation. If you’re anything like me, it is a well trodden path for sharing your faith. I have the verses ingrained in my memory, and they are always readily available to share on any given notice.
I wonder, however, how often we walk the path through Romans for our own benefit. The gospel is for believers as well. Paul, in fact, wrote this letter to Christians. Join me as we walk down memory lane and consider how the Romans Road applies to our own need for gospel renewal.
THE STARTING LINE
Romans 1:16-17
In this first section, Paul declares that he is not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God. This is the good news that transformed Paul from persecutor to Apostle. It has the power to bring the dead to life and make the blind see.
It leads people to salvation. But more than that, it guides us throughout our entire development of faith. It is the same good news, with the same power, that teaches us to live by faith.
THE FIRST HURDLE
Romans 3:21-26
This next section smacks us in the face with the reality that we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God. The Law of Moses, while showing us that we are indeed sinners, is not the glory of God. Instead, it bears witness to God’s glory which is found in Jesus Christ. Compared to Him, we all fall short.
There is no way that keeping the Law would get us out of our predicament. God had to make His own way for salvation. Without compromising His standard for holiness, God put forth His only Son as the substitutionary atonement for our sins. Christ would bear the wrath of God and we would bear His righteousness. This would allow God to remain just and justify the unjust. What a beautiful plan of salvation that could only have come from the mind of God.
A PIT STOP
Romans 5:1-11
We don’t get very far before we are invited to pause and reflect on everything written in the first four chapters. Paul reiterates that we have been declared righteous by faith. This grants us peace with God and access into the grace that we need for our everyday walk with Christ.
Paul also introduces us to where he is headed in the next few chapters by addressing the battle with sin and the suffering that we will endure. This struggle, however, has a sanctifying quality. It will produce endurance, godly character, and a deeper hope.
Next, Paul refreshes us with one of the sweetest assurances of our faith. He asserts that Jesus died for us while we were still sinners. He did not wait until we had achieved a level of righteousness that He could work with. He reached down and pulled us from the pit. This work of Christ demonstrates the unmerited love of God. Meditate on that and it will radically change how you live your life.
THE FOOTPATH
Romans 10:13-17
Our next leg of the journey takes us to a familiar phrase, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13). This expression reaches all the way back to Adam and Eve, Abraham, Isaac, David, and Elijah. It reverberates throughout the Bible as an act of faith, trusting in the character of God to keep His promise of salvation.
Then, Paul asks a series of questions, “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of Whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’” (Romans 10:14-15).
Paul is making two very important statements. First, he is reasserting that the gospel is the power for salvation. It is the message itself, preached and received, that changes lives. But, secondly, this implies that someone needs to go and share this good news. We shouldn’t be ashamed of how the gospel changed our lives. We have been redeemed. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so!
THE FINISH LINE
Romans 12:1-2
Finally, as we reach the twelfth chapter, we are able to get a glimpse of the finish line. We are not there yet, but we are finally able to see the path ahead.
Paul has already walked this path of humility. It is why he declared earlier that he is not ashamed of the gospel. Following Christ cost him all of the treasures he had in this world. This may look like foolishness, but Paul understood that he had gained a greater treasure in Christ.
There is another important point here. Paul was not the first to walk this path. No. It was forged by Christ Himself. So Paul calls all believers to learn from the example of Jesus who humbled Himself, suffered, and gave His own life as a sacrifice in obedience and worship of God. This is the calling on the life of every believer. We must deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Christ. Do not be conformed to the world, but renew your mind.
And let us go in peace with a comforting reminder from Paul near the end of the Romans Road:, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” (Romans 15:13).
Adam Miller is the President and host of Songtime Radio and serves as the pastor of South Chatham Community Church.
You can hear his teaching on our daily broadcast on the radio or online, watch his preaching live on Facebook, and read his articles on our website.
