The Roman Road vs. Roaming the Roads

Summer is winding away here on the Gulf Coast of Texas.  We are blessed with summer breezes flowing in from the Gulf of Mexico.  It is never quite as hot near open waters as it is further inland.  It's funny that I have spent my life along the I-10 corridor from Mississippi to Texas to Louisiana to Mississippi and back to Texas again.

Being raised in the Bible Belt doesn't mean you were raised in church but the chances are pretty good.  Yes, I was raised in church.  In church you are taught the Roman Road to Salvation, but I never memorized that plan.  So, I had to look it up on the internet.

Here's the plan of Salvation -

Romans 1:20-21: "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened."

God is the Creator of everything PERIOD.  Whether you are filthy rich, dirt poor or somewhere in between your position was determined by God.  Accept your position in all humility and remember you are a created being.   Also, remember the position you were born into is not necessarily where you will end up in life.  You are where you are for God to teach and train you for the world to come.

Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

Everyone has sinned from Mary, the mother of Jesus, to every Pope, Pastor and Priest.  They are not worthy of God’s grace and neither is anyone else on the planet.

Romans 5:8 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Jesus Christ is God's only way for us to be saved from our sins. God showed us His love by giving us His Son, Jesus Christ.  Whose death on the cross was necessary for without shedding of blood there is no remssion of sins.

Leviticus 17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. 

Hebrews 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. 

That's why Jesus said in

Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.  

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”

If we remain sinners, we will die. However, if we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and repent of our sins, we will have eternal life.

Romans 10:9-10 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God has raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  10 For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

Repent of your sins and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead and you will be saved!

Romans 10:13 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

There are no religious formulas or rituals -- Call upon the name of the Lord and you will be saved!

Romans 11:36: "For of him and through him and to him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen."

Determine in your heart to make Jesus Christ the Lord of your life today.

Acts 2:38 . . . Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

"Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38)

So you have to ask yourself why are so many "Christians" roaming the roads looking for something more?  If salvation is so simple then why all the embellishments to Salvation?  Why would you have to go to a class to learn how to interpret dreams? be a prophet? a healer? etc.  Why aren't "Christians" keeping their noses in the book filled with many great and precious promises "The Holy Bible?"  Instead they're reading one ridiculous "Christian" book after another filled with frivilous instructions on how to attain everything from wealth to inner healing.  Why are "Pastors" preaching ridiculous sermons?  Why is there a million "Christian" seminars, conferences, retreats, cruises, etc?  What happened to the time when people attended a local church in their community with their family, friends and neighbors pastored by a man they could actually know personally?  A man they could judge whether he is living the life he is preaching from the pulpit.  Now it's all just superstars traipsing the globe hawking their latest DVDs, CDs, teaching series, books and trinkets.  

When Jesus returns WILL HE FIND FAITH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Matthew 18:8.  I am reminded of the day when Jesus threw the moneylenders out of the temple.  There is coming a day soon when once again the moneylenders will be thrown out of the temple.  The majority will most likely be left behind at the rapture of the church for surely the truly redeemed would not be making a profit off the Bride of Christ.  Please note profit is not to be confused with earning a living, because a man does have a right to earn a living, but a man does not have a right to become filthy rich off the backs of his flock.

I have laid out the plan of salvation above through the Roman Road.  However, the Bible is very clear that NO MAN comes to Jesus lest the Father  DRAWS him.   

John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

So, you see, that sinners prayer has to be preceded by a conviction of your sins.  It is by faith that you are saved once you understand you need a savior.  So, if I were unsaved I would be praying for God to convict me of my sins and bring me to true repentance and salvation through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

Before going any further down the "Christian" road doing the popular "Christian" things.  STOP examine your heart to make sure you have truly repented and received salvation.  If you are trying to reinvent the Bible to accommodate your sinful life . . . well you are probably not saved.  So, REPENT and reinvent your life to accommodate the Bible.  THROW all your extras into a trash can and then continue down the narrow road with the only book you need "The King James Bible."