TAKING A WALK ON THE ROMANS ROAD
Peter tells us in his first letter to the church that we should, “always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you.” (1 Peter 3:15) Part of that preparedness comes from having a biblical understanding of the plan of salvation. What if someone were to ask you right now, “Why should I care about Jesus?” or “What does it mean to be saved?” What would you tell them? Would you be able to clearly communicate the Gospel in a way that they could understand?
What if someone were to ask you right now, “Why should I care about Jesus?” or “What does it mean to be saved?” What would you tell them? Would you be able to clearly communicate the Gospel in a way that they could understand? Click To TweetWhile every spiritual conversation is different, and each person comes into a discussion with varying degrees of understanding, the message of the Gospel never changes. The basics of the faith are simple to explain and the message is always relevant. Of course, we need to lean on the Holy Spirit and trust Him to give us the right words to speak. But the Christian who desires to be ready to share the Gospel when the opportunity comes, should take time to study the Scriptures.
The book of the Bible that provides the most comprehensive theology about salvation is Paul’s letter to the Romans. In this book, Paul gives us many of the bedrock texts that people have used in evangelism for nearly two millennia. One tool that is commonly used to present the Gospel comes from listing several key passages from the book of Romans. Each principle builds upon the other, providing a way to clearly articulate the path to salvation. This outline has been coined the “Romans Road to Salvation,” and it is used to “walk” people through the main principles that they need to know to understand why Jesus had to come and what He accomplished.
It is important that we are well versed in these crucial points of theology so that we have them tucked away in our hearts when we need them. I have found them extremely useful on a regular basis when engaging people with the Gospel. Below, I will provide those key texts and give a basic overview of the importance of each in the form of a basic presentation. For some, it might be helpful to keep a copy of these Scriptures close by, to review and have on hand when opportunity presents itself. For this purpose, we have a free downloadable bookmark version that you can print or store on your phone. Feel free to use, print and distribute them as the Lord leads.
Here are the five principles with supporting Scripture references and a brief explanation of their importance. Use them as a model for sharing the Gospel. A prayer of repentance is also included as a guide for leading others to Christ:
Principle One: We Have a Sin Problem
Romans 3:10– As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one.
Romans 3:23– For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.
Every human has been separated from a holy God because of our sin, which is rebellion against Him. There is no way for us to get rid of our sin. We cannot clean ourselves up or do enough good to make up for it.
Principle Two: The Cost of Sin and the Gift of God
Romans 6:23– For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The punishment for sin is separation from God, experienced both in this life, and in eternity. But God offers us eternal life through His Son Jesus Christ.
Principle Three: God Solved the Sin Problem
Romans 5:8– But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to take on the punishment for our sin and die in our place. He offers forgiveness for all of our sins through the sacrifice of Jesus. And He did this even while we were still in our sin and rebellion against Him because of His great love for us.
Principle Four: How to Respond to God’s Offer
Romans 10:9– …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.
Romans 10:13– For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Receiving the free gift of salvation and the forgiveness for our sin requires faith on our part. We need to believe in His work on the cross on our behalf. And we must confess Him as our Lord and Savior. If we cry out to Him with a sincere heart, He will save us.
Principle Five: The Result of Salvation
Romans 5:1– Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…
Through faith in Jesus and His work, we are no longer separated from God, but brought into His family. We have been justified, or treated as if we had never sinned, and have peace with God eternally.
Are you ready to cry out to the Lord and receive His forgiveness for your sins? Do you desire in your heart to turn from your wicked ways and make Jesus the Lord of your life? If so, here is a prayer that can be prayed to express that desire. The prayer itself is only a model. The power is not in the words, but in the God that you pray them to:
Lord Jesus,
I come to you in need of forgiveness. I confess that I am a sinner and that I have rebelled against you. I acknowledge that you died for my sins on the cross, and that your sacrifice is my only hope for salvation. I choose today to turn from my sin, and to live my life for you. I ask you to save me. I ask you to take control of my life and be my Lord. Thank you for your blood that was shed for me. I choose to live for you from this day forward.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Download this free bookmark of the Romans Road for print or digital use in PDF format or JPEG. Keep it close by to study and meditate on the Scriptures as well as to share the Gospel with people you come in contact with:
Romans Road Bookmark- JPEG Front
Romans Road Bookmark- JPEG Back
Romans Road Bookmarks- PDF Full Sheet Front
Romans Road Bookmarks- PDF Full Sheet Back
DUSTIN RENZ is the President of Make Way Ministries, a non-profit organization that exists to see the world changed one Christian at a time. He has a passion to see the Body of Christ find rich intimacy in their relationship with Jesus and step out in faith to share the Gospel with the world around them. He is the author of Pile of Masks: Exposing Christian Hypocrisy and Something Better. He resides in Dayton, Ohio with his wife and three daughters.
