Bold Conversations Series – The Roman Road, Part 2

As we look at the “Roman Road” outline of sharing faith, we must realize that this is something that we are not to force or inject harshly into every conversation that we have.  But instead, we are to realize first that salvation is something that we must live out in our lives naturally as an expression of our belief.  It is not our religious duty, but our religious delight.  And it is new life in Jesus that brings this delight.

We are all in need.  None of us, Jew or Gentile, will come to the Father except by Jesus.  Jesus was not establishing a religion, but he was fulfilling a promise of reconciliation with God.  Sin separates us from God.  The world will wrongly say that God condemns the world by its sin, but the reality is that we are condemned already and God through love has come to rescue us.

When Jesus was having a conversation with his disciples, he speaks of that when Jesus leaves them, a comforter (Holy Spirit) will be sent that will show the sinfulness of the world.  But at the same time, he will point to the righteousness and grace of Jesus.  And God does not require a perfect life, and he doesn’t exclude people from their past.  Instead, it is through God’s love that he sees us through the filter of our faith in Jesus as Lord.  No matter where you are, he has a plan and new life in Jesus for each person.

Here Paul starts moving to the solution on the conviction of sin by the Holy Spirit in others.  We are called not to ignore those convictions, we are not to talk away those convictions.  But for us, when talking with someone who is under conviction, we are to point to the grace and salvation provided by Jesus.  That Jesus died for you, Jesus died for me, and Jesus died for everyone while we were still sinners.  While we were totally against him, Jesus took our sin upon himself.  Would you sacrifice your life for someone who is completely against you?  Would you even give your life for someone who might be a “good person”?  Jesus died even for those who hung him on that cross.

If someone has given you a gift, would you reject it?  No!  But God has given a gift, a new life, and yet many reject this gift.  And the nature of all true gifts, it comes from a position of love and is independent on any status of “earning it”.

Many will say, “You just want me to follow the rules!” “You just want me to come to YOUR church!” And while those who have made a decision for Christ, we must also realize that going to a certain church, following the principles and commandments of the Lord in our lives, and obedience to the will of the Spirit are all expressions of our relationship.

The Roman Road Summary

1. We are all sinners by nature and choice. 
2. We receive eternal life as a free gift! 
3. God demonstrated His love for us, His enemies. 
4. We must trust and surrender to Jesus as Lord. 
5. Our assurance of salvation through Jesus.