A recent road trip reminded me of the need to get directions for the most efficient trip. My GPS often gives several options for travel that vary a few miles and minutes and that may or may not include a toll road. I am grateful to have clear directions in unfamiliar roads.
Growing up, the Roman Road was frequently used to help people understand God’s plan for salvation. A simple definition of salvation, from which we get the word saved, is the deliverance from the power of sin. The word redemption is similar but includes the idea of deliverance through the payment of a price. God paid a high price to deliver the souls of people from sin and bring them into His kingdom. The Bible says, “God rescued us from the dark power of Satan and brought us into the kingdom of his dear Son,…” (Colossians 1:13, NLT). Consider God’s road of salvation…
First, the Bible says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23, NKJ). Everyone has sinned. We are all flawed. We were created to bring God glory but we have all fallen short. We are separated from God and on the road to eternal separation from God because of our sin.
Second, the Bible says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23, NKJ). The result of sin is physical and spiritual death. But God has another plan. He has intervened in the midst of our sin to give every person the free gift of eternal life! What a joy! Salvation is a gift from God given to everyone who trusts in Jesus Christ.
Third, the Bible says, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8, NKJ). Jesus did not die for us because we were good. He did not lay down his life for righteous people. He did not hang on the cross because we were worthy. The love of God for sinful man is what prompted Jesus Christ to offer His life as a sacrifice for our sins. God loves you and me more than we can understand.
And fourth, the Bible says, “That 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 10:9, NKJ). Our response to Jesus Christ is to confess that we accept Him as our Savior and that we believe in our heart that He died and rose from the dead. In a sense we are turning away from our own way of life and turning to Jesus Christ. The Bible calls this repentance. Salvation is a gift from God but it must be accepted – it must be received. Salvation is a free gift from God and Jesus Christ is the only way to receive it.