The Road Less Traveled

Growing up in the church I remember the “Romans Road” was a common term thrown around for how to evangelize to people. In youth group we went over it and I wrote down all the verses and passages in the book of Romans that were key for walking someone through the Gospel message. I do not hear many people talking about the “Romans Road” very much these days; but, even if people do talk about it, my guess is that it is thought of predominantly as a good method to remember the Gospel message for evangelism.

But I wonder, have we put the idea of the “Romans Road” in the corner of evangelism and left it there, when in reality it should be right next to us all the time? I am not talking about memorizing it more so we are ready to share the Gospel; although that can be a good result. What if the “Romans Road” is a road that should to be traveled by not just people who are new to the Gospel message, but also by people who feel familiar with it? What if believers should be traversing this holy highway all the time, and not just when they are sharing the Gospel with someone?

At the beginning of his letter, Paul addresses it to “to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints” (Romans 1:7 NASB). Near the end of his letter, Paul also tells his audience that he does not doubt their knowledge about God, but he still wants to write to them to remind them of the truths about the Gospel (Romans 15:14-16). It is fascinating that Paul wrote the letter that is considered to be the greatest systematic explanation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ not to unbelievers, but to believers.

I think there is great wisdom in thinking about this. If Paul wanted to tell the people in the church at Rome about the Gospel, there must be a good reason for believers to think about what he wrote. If we actually take the time to study through the book of Romans (and walk down the “Romans Road” so to speak), there are so many truths that are important for us to be reminding ourselves of every single day. The Gospel is not just for starting a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, it is for getting us through every single day of our lives.

Every day we face the ugly head of sin. Most of the time we do not have to look far past ourselves to see it. Every day we face the struggles of our desires to worship ourselves instead of God. Every day we face the temptations of this life to find our identity in things outside of Jesus Christ. Every day we face the pain and suffering of the results of the curse of sin. Every day we face the pressures of this life that make us frustrated or depressed. We need truth that is liberating. We need truth that we can turn to time and again to help us see clearly in the confusion of life. We need truth that has stood the test of time and will never fail. We need truth that humbles us to see we are more feeble and wicked than we most often times believe, but also warms our hearts with truth of how we are loved more than we could ever dream.

Look at these Gospel truths, and let them be a start to walking down the “Romans Road” towards joy in the grace of God for today (and every day):

  • “as it is written, ‘there is none righteous, not even one;'” (Romans 3:10). If I am saved, I have come from this, and I still struggle with sin every day.
  • by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight;” (3:20). Just following God’s instructions and commands does not clear my guilt before Him.
  • “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (3:23). This includes me!
  • “[all who believe are] justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;” (3:24). Jesus offered Himself on the cross as a free gift to save me!
  • “How joyful are those whose lawless acts are forgiven and whose sins are covered! How joyful is the man the Lord will never charge with sin!” (4:7-8 HCSB). If I am repentant before God and trusting Jesus Christ’s death as the payment for my sin, God looks at me as if I have never sinned!
  • “we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” (5:1 NASB). I am no longer an enemy of God!
  • “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (5:8). Need proof that God loves me, look to the cross!
  • “consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus” (6:11). I am no longer defined by my sin, but by Jesus Christ; which gives me the motivation to say “no” to sin.
  • “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (8:1). This is sweet music for the soul!
  • “So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh—for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live” (8:12-13). I have a new master now, and I can say “no” to sin and please God.
  • “you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons (8:14). My new master views me as His son, and I can obey Him out of love for Him instead of fear.
  • “neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord”  (8:38-39). Absolutely nothing can separate me from God’s love!

Look up these verses in your Bible. Read through the book of Romans to see the big picture of the Gospel. Highlight. Circle. Write down the verses on an index card. Do something to help you remember them each and every day. We need these truths every day. We forget them so easily, but thanks be to God for giving them to us for our recollection. Walk the “Romans Road” my friends. It is a road we should walk until the day we die.

Daniel Moore
Daniel Moore graduated from Faith Bible Seminary's M. Div. program in June of 2016, and served as the pastoral intern for Purdue Bible Fellowship international (PBFi). He is still involved with PBFi, and has a passion to share the Gospel with international students who are studying at Purdue University and train them to be more faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. Daniel is from the Lafayette, IN area and graduated from Purdue University in December of 2012 with a bachelors degree in Computer Graphics Technology.