by jimwalton » Tue Nov 05, 2013 5:15 pm
The "Romans Road," for those who may not know, is an easy tool for explaining the plan of salvation to someone, or to understand salvation. It's all in the book of Romans, and goes something like this:
1. Romans 3.23: Everyone is a sinner and is separated from God.
2. Romans 6.23: Our sin inevitably results in death.
3. Romans 5.8: God loves us, even though we are sinners and separated from him. He loves us so much he died in our place so that death doesn't have to be our future.
4. Romans 10.9-10, 13: If we give our lives to God in a love relationship, believing in Jesus' death on the cross for our sins, and that he rose again to new life, our sins can be forgiven and we can have a relationship with God.
5. Romans 5.1: Once we make that step of faith, the barrier between us and God is broken down.
6. Romans 8.1: We are no longer condemned, but enjoy new life.
7. Romans 8.38-39: Nothing can ever separate us from God's love.
As you can see, The Romans Road does a pretty good job of covering all the basics: our sin and separation from God, Christ's death on the cross for our sins, believing in him, and taking a step of faith in putting our lives into his. For a person seeking the Lord, that's a good description.
There was twice during the ministry of Jesus that he was asked the question, "What must I do to be saved (or inherit eternal life)?" Jesus' answer was four things:
1. Love God with all that you are
2. Love your neighbor as yourself
3. Do God's will by obeying his moral commands
4. Follow Jesus
So you can see while this agrees with the Romans Road, it's different too. Jesus makes sure we understand that it's not just a matter of "easy-believism," but of a whole life dedicated to God. Of course, that's what Paul is saying, too, just in a different way and with different words.
We all understand that it's not just a matter of raise your hand at a meeting and now you have your "life insurance" and "fire insurance" policy and can go out and live however you want. It matters what we believe, and it matters how we live. Making a decision for Christ truly is a simple matter, but as we grow in the faith we also understand that some of the demands of discipleship are radical and difficult.
Does that help? If you have more questions about this, just ask.
The "Romans Road," for those who may not know, is an easy tool for explaining the plan of salvation to someone, or to understand salvation. It's all in the book of Romans, and goes something like this:
1. Romans 3.23: Everyone is a sinner and is separated from God.
2. Romans 6.23: Our sin inevitably results in death.
3. Romans 5.8: God loves us, even though we are sinners and separated from him. He loves us so much he died in our place so that death doesn't have to be our future.
4. Romans 10.9-10, 13: If we give our lives to God in a love relationship, believing in Jesus' death on the cross for our sins, and that he rose again to new life, our sins can be forgiven and we can have a relationship with God.
5. Romans 5.1: Once we make that step of faith, the barrier between us and God is broken down.
6. Romans 8.1: We are no longer condemned, but enjoy new life.
7. Romans 8.38-39: Nothing can ever separate us from God's love.
As you can see, The Romans Road does a pretty good job of covering all the basics: our sin and separation from God, Christ's death on the cross for our sins, believing in him, and taking a step of faith in putting our lives into his. For a person seeking the Lord, that's a good description.
There was twice during the ministry of Jesus that he was asked the question, "What must I do to be saved (or inherit eternal life)?" Jesus' answer was four things:
1. Love God with all that you are
2. Love your neighbor as yourself
3. Do God's will by obeying his moral commands
4. Follow Jesus
So you can see while this agrees with the Romans Road, it's different too. Jesus makes sure we understand that it's not just a matter of "easy-believism," but of a whole life dedicated to God. Of course, that's what Paul is saying, too, just in a different way and with different words.
We all understand that it's not just a matter of raise your hand at a meeting and now you have your "life insurance" and "fire insurance" policy and can go out and live however you want. It matters what we believe, and it matters how we live. Making a decision for Christ truly is a simple matter, but as we grow in the faith we also understand that some of the demands of discipleship are radical and difficult.
Does that help? If you have more questions about this, just ask.