My wife pointed out, that while I have talked a lot about Jesus and the Kingdom of Heaven, I have not shared how to enter into a relationship with Jesus and begin experiencing the benefits of salvation. Thank you Melody.
When I was a kid I was introduced to “Jesus” on the “Romans Road.” This is a way of looking at verses from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans that helped me see my need for a Savior and how to be forgiven. After walking this road I became a child of God and started enjoying all of the benefits of living in the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth.
Let’s take a walk together…
Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God “
I’m a pretty good guy. I love most people, and have done a pretty good job as a husband and father. But when I look at this verse I have to admit I’m not as good as God. I do fall short sometimes. I have sinned.
Romans 6:23a “For the wages of sin is death…”
So that is why so many people go through so many bad things and die. I now understand why sin is such a big deal. My sin, and all of the sin around me, really does make a difference today and for eternity. This sin causes death both physically and spiritually.
Romans 6:23b “… but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Wow! Jesus was willing to give His life for me. That blows me away. He paid the price that I owed and took my death for me. Even when I had no interest in God, and actually wanted nothing to do with Him, He loved me enough to look past my sin and rebellion and send His Son to die in my place and give me freely the gift of eternal life. That is amazing!
Romans 10:8-10 “But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 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. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
I see why I need to be saved. And I see what Jesus did to save me. But what do I need to do? Is it really as simple as believing in my heart and confessing with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord? Yes it is! Jesus did all of the work. There was a HUGE price to be paid, but Jesus paid it.
So, as I mentioned earlier, I walked this road 53 years ago and am still benefiting from it today (and will for all of eternity). So what is at the end of the road?
Romans 5:1-2 “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
I am “justified” – made as though I had never sinned at all.
Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”
I am not condemned. God is not holding my mistakes and sins against me (past, present, or future). What a relief!
Romans 8:37-39 “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
These verses say it all. There may be battles in life, but now that I am a child of God nothing can overcome me!
If you walked the Romans Road with me today, and would like to join with me in the family of God and begin living in the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth, receiving all of the Kingdom benefits, then please pray the following prayer. When you say Amen your past will be gone, you will be forgiven, and you will be living in the Kingdom of Heaven today, while you are alive, and for all of eternity.
Dear Heavenly Father, I come to you in Jesus Name realizing that I have fallen short. I have sinned and need to be forgiven. Thank you for loving me regardless of my past. Even though I have blown it, and don’t deserve it, you sent your son Jesus to pay for my sin. I believe in my heart, and confess with my mouth, that Jesus is my Lord. I turn my back on my old life and am going to live for you today and forever.Thank you for loving and forgiving me. I am your child, and am now part of your Kingdom. Thank you for giving me all that Heaven has to offer now and forever. In Jesus Name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, you are not alone in your decision. All of Heaven is rejoicing, and so am I! Please use the comment box below so that I can pray for you, and help you get started strong on your new journey as a child of the King of Kings. You are not alone in your decision. I am excitedly waiting for your response.
It has been great walking together in…
…Eric’s Life Lesson # 119: “Taking the Romans Road”