“What is the first scripture?” I can hear my youth pastor’s voice in my head recalling him quizzing me about the scriptures of the Romans Road. “Ahhh, Romans.. 3.. 23?” “Very good.”
I did not see the importance of knowing a series of scriptures by heart other than to impress other Christians on how ‘holy’ I was. After all, isn’t that why there is a concordance? It was not until years later, and quite a few blunders, that I began to realize there is power in truly knowing Bible scripture by heart.
Today I still struggle to get the exact chapter and verse (though most of the time I can get close) but the scripture itself I remember. The same can be said of the Romans Road, a list of scriptures through the book of Romans that paints a clear picture of how to become a Christian and why. While the citation for the scriptures is important, the application of the scripture is life-changing.
Years after I was being quizzed by my youth pastor.. I was quizzing students on the Romans Road, so they would get the scripture deep into their mind to consider and reflect upon.
Here is one version of The Romans Road (a shorter one of the many available):
- Broken
Romans 3:23 (All Have Sinned)
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
- Fallen
Romans 5:12 (Sin’s Penalty)
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned.
- Christ
Romans 6:23 (Sin’s Penalty)
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- Love
Romans 5:8 (Christ Paid the Penalty)
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
- Believe & Confess
Romans 10:9,10 (Salvation through Faith)
That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
The power of these scriptures comes from the Christ’s sacrifice, creating the opportunity to be reunited in relationship with God. Take the personal challenge to memorize the Romans Road, both for yourself and to share with others when they ask about ‘how to become a Christian’. You will be glad you did.
Take the challenge: Memorize, Reflect, Apply
Blessings!
JB