In the Bible, in the New Testament, and in the book of Romans, the apostle Paul gives us the dynamics of Salvation. The following scriptures taken from Romans are called the Roman Road because they clearly delineate the path to the born again experience.
As a preface, let me first say that being born again is essential for every individual who desires forgiveness of sin, fellowship with God, and wants to live forever.
Jesus first announced the need to be born again in the Gospel of John. There in Chapter 3, verse 3 it says:
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
And in verse 5 is added:
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
So to see, to perceive and understand the workings of the kingdom of God, one must be born again. To enter the kingdom also requires a new birth. The old you can't "see" the kingdom, much less enter it, unless you are born again.
So how does this take place? What is the protocol of the new birth? This is where the Roman Road comes in.
In Romans 1:16 Paul declares his position concerning the Gospel, or Good News of Jesus Christ:
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
The Gospel will get you saved, or born again. And it is for the Jew and the Gentile (Greek) alike. As a matter of fact, the Bible also declares in Acts 4:12:
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
The message of Jesus is good for anybody under heaven!
And that is because every body under heaven needs to be born again!
See what the next Roman Road Scripture is:
3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Yes sir, yes ma'am, you are a sinner. And there is no way in the world you can reach God on your own merits. You are not on good terms with God.
Next, Romans 5:1 says: Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
To settle the matter with God you must be born again for by the new birth you are justified by God. That is you are declared righteous, and righteousness is imputed to you when you acknowledge your sinfulness and recognize you need a Savior. The death of Jesus the Son of God on the Cross makes it possible for God to be just in wiping your sinful slate clean without you having to pay the penalty for it. Jesus paid the penalty for sin, which is death, for you!
So when you place your trust in Jesus you are justified and become at peace with God. Good news indeed.
See, Romans 6:23 clears up the legal matter:
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
So, how will you bring this into reality? Let's read the next portion of scripture that pertains to this matter in Romans 10:8-10:
But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
The solution to your lostness is very close to you sir. As a matter of fact, it is inside of you. It is in you mouth and in your heart. You don't need to run off and do something. A pilgrimage is not required. Religious rituals won't attain it. Being a better person will not achieve it. Feeding the hungry, saving the whales, even having conservative values can't bring it to you. All you have to do is allow your heart to connect with your mouth.
Right now the Holy Spirit is affirming this truth of the gospel in your heart. Faith has erupted. You know you are a sinner and that you need a Savior. Right now you are believing in Jesus. You are certain He is the only Way to be born again.
Let your mouth now speak what your heart is believing. Lord Jesus you are my Savior. You were crucified for me. You died in my place. And not only that God raised you from the dead! You are alive. Suddenly I see it, I understand it by faith. Now I want to enter in to this relationship with you.
I believe unto righteousness and I confess unto salvation. Wow!
Romans 10:11 states, For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
You will not be ashamed of believing in Jesus.
Romans 10:13 declares, For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
That is your new position in life. You are saved, you are truly born again.
What brought this about? How do I now believe?
Romans 10:17 answers the matter:
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
As you read the Word faith was built up in your heart. For faith comes by hearing the Word of God.
Now what?
To conclude our journey on the Roman Road let us read Romans12:1 and 2:
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
I think you understand that. Give yourself to Jesus. You will want to separate yourself from the "world" as you experience the new life coming into you. Renew your mind with the Word of God and you will begin to move in a different direction toward that which pleases God. You will begin to know and follow his perfect will for your life.
It will be an exciting journey with Jesus.
And that is how one is born again. Amen.
Purpose! Ministries
A Praying Church - A Healing Church - A Holy Spirit Church - A Preaching Church
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