The Roman Road

The ancient Roman Empire built over 50,000 miles of road spreading its army, culture and influence throughout the Mediterranean. The old saying "all roads lead to Rome", simply couldn't have been truer. At it's peak, Rome was the center of commerce, trade, politics, culture and military might. The original purpose of Roman roads was military exploitation. Along with the speed and accessibility provided to the Roman armies, the roads also provided an opportunity for trade, travel and communication unknown to the rest of the world. You could travel from Spain to Greece without ever stepping off a road, and after a short boat trip travel from Asia Minor all the way around to Northwestern Africa.

One feature of Roman roads was the milestone. The English word "mile" comes  from the Latin  milia passum which means, "one thousand paces". A standard Roman milestone was a 5 foot circular column.  At the base was inscribed the number of the mile relative to the road it was on. In a panel at eye-height was the distance to Rome.

Modern road engineers are amazed by the durability of the Roman roads.  Some of them are still in use today carrying modern car traffic on them.  As amazing as these roads are, they are not as amazing as the Roman Road to Salvation.

The Roman Road easily explains the path to salvation  through a series of Bible verses from the book of Romans.  There are many different versions of The Roman Road with slight variations in Scriptures, but the basic message is the same.

Romans 3:23  tells us that, "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God".  Step one is realizing that you are a sinner.

Romans 6:23 states, "the wages of sin is death".  Step two is realizing that as a sinner you are deserving of death.

But Romans 6:23 also says, "the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord".  Step three is learning that God has a gift for you - eternal life.

Romans 5:8 tells us that, "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us".  Step four is the knowledge that Christ died for us!

Romans 8:1 gives us an amazing promise;  "there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus."  Step 5 is the comforting promise that there is no condemnation for those who follow Jesus.

Romans 8:38,39 states 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".

Step 6 is knowing that nothing can separate us from the love of God.

Romans 10:9, says, "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".  Step 7 is learning the amazing fact that if you confess that Jesus is Lord and believe that he is resurrected you will be saved.

In these few passages you can see everyone’s sinful condition and the remedy through Jesus Christ.  God wants to hear it from you. He wants you to confess that Jesus is the only one who can pay your sin debt and that you believe Jesus died on the cross for you. God wants you to make it personal.