Simple “Romans Road” to salvation

The “Romans Road” is a simple way of presenting the gospel using verses from Romans. It was written by the Apostle Paul during his 3rd missionary journey about 23 years after the events of the gospels to Christians he had heard about but never met. Paul wanted to give them a complete description of the fundamentals and foundations of Christianity: sinful nature of all men in the eyes of God, justification by faith in Jesus Christ, freedom from sin, and victory in Christ, judgment, spiritual growth, and godly living. This is just what we need to get started in good Bible study.

1) I’m a “good person” do I really need salvation? In many years of talking to people, I think 9 out of 10 people categorize themselves as “good” people and don’t understand their need for salvation.

 For everyone has sinned;  we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. (Romans 3:23)

As the Scriptures say,  “No one is righteous—not even one.  (Romans 3:10)

When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death,  so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.  (Romans 5:12)

2) I’m not a really bad person, is my sin really that bad? Almost everyone considers themselves to be “relatively” better (less bad, less sinful, and less depraved) than others and so forgive themselves for their “relatively” minor sins.

 For the wages of sin is death,  but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

3) I’m too bad to be saved, how can there be any hope for me? Those, who don’t consider themselves better than others, often consider themselves to have missed the mark, with so many sins stacked up on their side of the scale, that there’s no hope for them.

 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.  (Romans 5:8)

4) How can I be saved? The concept of salvation by faith is alien to our human nature, we want to do something to earn our salvation, but the task is too great for us, we need divine intervention.

 And that message is the very message about faith that we preach:  If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. (Romans 10:9-10)

5) Did God accept me? After a person has come to Jesus Christ for their personal soul salvation, it is extremely common for them to doubt their salvation, to doubt that God will keep his promise, that they are safe in Christ.

As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For  “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.”  (Romans 10:11-13)

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith,  we have peace with God  because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. (Romans 5:1)

 So now there is no condemnation  for those who belong to Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)

 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.  Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

6) What should I do now? The new child of God is embarking on the most exciting journey of their life, where should they start, and what should they do?

For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. (Romans 10:17)

For further study:

  • Be Right (Romans): How to Be Right with God, Yourself, and Others (The BE Series Commentary) by Warren W. Wiersbe — It can be argued that no book of the Bible has had a greater effect on Christianity than the book of Romans. In this classic commentary by Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe, you can refresh your own understanding of this seminal work, Paul’s masterpiece letter to the church in Rome. Dr. Wiersbe’s careful exposition of the text allows the truth to soak into your heart and mind as you read and understand these essential truths of Scripture.
  • How to Read the Bible Book by Book: A Guided Tour by by Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart — Reading the Bible need not be a haphazard journey through strange and bewildering territory. Like an experienced tour guide, How to Read the Bible Book by Book takes you by the hand and walks you through the Scriptures. For each book of the Bible, the authors start with a quick snapshot, then expand the view to help you better understand its message and how it fits into the grand narrative of the Bible. Written by two top evangelical scholars, this survey is designed to get you actually reading the Bible knowledgeably and understanding it accurately.

2 Replies to “Simple “Romans Road” to salvation”

  1. Dear Friend, I have no doubt that you are a very kind person who is seeking to serve God by using the Romans Road as an approach to reach the lost. However, I hope you will read my 2 testimonies at my website http://romanroadheresy.com so you will see some problems connected with that form of Gospel outreach. When I was 12 years old, I was pressured into praying a prayer for salvation. It took 2 hours for me to finally be willing to submit, but the Roman Road worker was persistent. After that false conversion, I used the same method with a number of people, supposedly leading them to the Lord. My testimonies
    are at http://romanroadheresy.com where I share “I Was Adopted Twice” and “Lost on the Roman Road.” Please read them if you have time. You will see how the RR left me with many doubts and why that type of formula conversion can actually leave a person on the wrong road. I appreciate your sincerity and dedication; I just feel that you need to recognize the problems connected with this method.

    • I notice that you have a Romans Road naysayer who posted a comment. It’s interesting that he took the time to say you are wrong without saying what he thinks is the right approach to sharing the gospel. He mentions his own experience in which someone, no doubt anxious for another notch on his gospel gun belt, pressurized him into a confession of faith. Obviously this is the wrong approach and betrays an unbelief in the work of the Holy Spirit to convict and convince. The problem was not with the Romans Road but with someone who wanted a “Romans robot”.
      The Holy Spirit however does use the Word of God in His work and the “Romans Road” contains some key Biblical concepts. One does need to be sensitive to the Spirit’s leading of course, as what works with one person may have an opposite effect on another. It is also wise to let people know that the “Sinners Prayer” is not a magic formula and that God looks on the heart.