V. The Results of Salvation?–Romans Road Part 5

Here we are! We’re at the final leg of the Romans Road. Keep in mind that even though this is part 5 of 5, that it is no means the end of a journey. I find this to be the beginning. Let’s revisit what we’ve covered so far:

• Who Needs Salvation
• Why We Need Salvation
• How God Provides Salvation
• How We Receive Salvation
• And Finally The Results of Salvation <—We are Here

No matter where you are, no matter what you’ve done, and no matter how worthy you think you may or may not be–this is a very important lesson. We will visit three very crucial sections of Romans that will reveal a deeper response and result of salvation if we choose to accept it.

Romans 5:1

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Justified

Let’s look at this one a little. there’s actually quite a bit of truth in there. The first word we come to is “justified.” What does this mean? I like to think of it as “Just [as] if I’d” never sinned. That is the judge ruling of “not guilty” placed on our lives. That is the “innocent because we have admitted our sin” word. In other words, God looks at us through the lens of Perfect Jesus Christ. How wonderful is that? Well, it gets better.

Through Faith

The next part I see is “through faith.” It doesn’t say, “by doing good.” It doesn’t say, “by being perfect or worthy.” It says, “through faith!” This means that everything in our Christian lives starts with faith. Faith isn’t something that you seek once you have righted all your wrongs. How you right all your wrongs is: through forgiveness from God that comes from faith.

Peace with God

One of the incredible parts of this verse is the part about peace. Peace with God! Keep in mind, God loves the world, but he despises sin. We are all sinners. I think as humans, it’s hard to think about supporting or loving the person, but hating their actions or what they’re called to do in life. This argument goes between Christians and non-Christians alike. I think a lot of us just don’t get it. An example of loving the person, but despising their action can be seen in how many people view the US military. You can be against the conflict or wars that have been going on with all that you are, but I think it would be wrong to hate the men and women going to battle under orders for the sake of our freedom. These soldiers signed on to serve our country, yet some people don’t support our troops because they don’t support the war.

This, of course, is not God’s way. Jesus looked at many sinners throughout the New Testament but brought peace through turmoil. He stopped a stoning by using His wisdom, but told the culprit of the crime simply to “go and sin no more.” Before he was crucified, He stopped His disciples from defending him and went with His arrestors in peace.

In our hard times without Christ, we may feel defeated or have nowhere to turn to. Many who come to Christ don’t recognize their need for Him until they hit rock bottom. But we all need Him. We all need to have peace with Him so that our lives will have meaning and fulfillment. When I came to Christ, I had decided I no longer wanted to be at war with the Creator of the Universe. Are you still at war? Peace is calling for you, and His name is Jesus.

Romans 8:1

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus

Yes! Not condemned by the One who matters.Through my years (and I know many have more years on this earth than I do), I have discovered a fantastic way of looking at things. My peers can condemn me all they want as long as my boss is okay with my actions. In other words, my coworkers may think I’m being selfish for taking a day off to care for my wife, but if my boss is okay with it, that’s all that matters.

Now think of that way of thinking, but broaden its reach. Instead of “peers” or “coworkers,” think about “neighbors,” “victims,” “judges,” and “your past.” I know that’s not a nice compact list, but hear me out. Instead of thinking of “your boss,” think of “God.” Now do you see it? The neighbors, victims (of your wrongs), judges (who may condemn you), or your past (where guilt gets buried) don’t matter when you’re right with God.

Now, I’m not saying get right with God and then go on doing whatever you want because it doesn’t matter. That’s just foolish. But, in giving your troubles to God, I know that you will want to do better with your life. And He will give you the tools, without the condemnation that we hold over ourselves!

Romans 8:38-39

Take that way of thinking a step further. Your boss may be okay with you going home the first time to care for your wife. He or she may be okay with the second or third. But eventually, you can lose your job because you’re gone away too much. This is not the case with God. This is the scripture:

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angesl nor demons, neither the present nor the future, no any powers, 39 neither hight nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the Love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

NOTHING CAN SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD! Nothing. If this list of “everything” doesn’t put it into perspective, let me put it to you this way: Nothing you can think of has the power of removing God’s love from you. Not that dissuasive friend, not that disease, not that thing you did years ago or yesterday that you really don’t want anyone to know about. If you ended up in a bad situation tomorrow after giving your life to Him, he doesn’t say, “Game over.”

God is the author of love. He has perfected it and it is unconditional. We experience his Love and Peace through Faith. And with that, there is never any condemnation. Praise God for that!

What Is Your Result?

If you have not already, I hope that you are ready to receive, through faith in Jesus Christ, His free gift of salvation. This is the end of the Romans Road to salvation. But now we enter a freeway. The journey can take you to places you never thought you would be. There are obstacles, construction zones, and jams in our lives just like the freeway. But, I know, without a doubt, that once you’re on it, you won’t look back.

Please comment below or send an email to raph@newtoworship.com. Prayer requests can go to prayer@newtoworship.com.