The Roman Road Scriptures were divided and each participating blogger had the opportunity to choose a verse.
I chose Romans 3:23:
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."
I think SIN is a major stumbling block to getting saved. After all, if you don't believe you're a sinner, why would you need a Savior?
You may think that certainly all people realize they sin. But many people rationalize sin. They claim their intentions are pure. Or they may say they've never committed the really BIG SINS like murder or adultery.
But Jesus says in Matthew 5:27-28:
"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
The standard is extremely high!
God is holy. He is perfect. He cannot come into the presence of sin.
Consider this analogy. If you walked into a smoke filled room and you never smoked, you would immediately be aware of the odor. But if you were a smoker and you walked into that same room, you may not even be aware of the smell.
That's like us rationalizing sin. We tend to adjust to our own standard instead of God's standard of perfection.
We are born into this world with a sin nature. You can thank Adam and Eve for that.
Since God cannot be in the presence of sin, what can we do?
- We can't earn holiness.
- We can't do acts of penance to secure us a place in heaven.
That is the most wonderful gift from a loving God. He knew we were doomed because of sin. But He sent Jesus to be fully human and fully Divine. He lived a perfect life without sin and died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. He was punished for you and me.
Because He was the only One who could live that perfect life, He offers us a way to come to the Father. By receiving His gift of life, we can be set free from the penalty of our sins.
But there is one thing you must do to be saved.
You must receive this free gift into your heart.
Admit that you're a sinner and you can't save yourself. Simply invite Jesus into your heart.
He will change you from the inside out and ...you will never be the same.
Blessings and love,
Thank you for such a vivid description of God's gift of salvation! I'm so thankful He paid the penalty for my sin, and His mercy is everlasting! I think of the verse that says, "If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me." I pray He will draw many unsaved souls to your blog today, "for today is the day of salvation!" Big hugs to you, Debbie! :)
ReplyDeleteGod is so amazing . . . I just posted the Roman Road on my sidebar in four easy steps. Then the Lord led me here. Thank you my sister in Christ for standing bold for the Lord.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Bren
Debbie:
ReplyDeleteMaybe God wants you to be a 'preacher'!
You got it all right here in this blog my friend!
I am in the midst of Romans right now and was just telling Joe I think it might be my favorite book. (of course you know that every time I get into a new book of the Bible, it is my 'favorite!')...
I remember Catherine Marshall's book "Beyond Ourselves"... the first sentence said ... "The search for God begins at the point of need"... I have never forgotten that, and it is so true, but we each have our points of need, and the search both begins and deepens right there, as we 'seek Him with our whole heart'.
This was really a good one Reverend Debbie!
Big hugs!
Thank you for the great post. Sometimes I forget than when we think we have it bad, someone else had it way worse.
ReplyDeleteDebbie,preach on my friend! I love it when you said:
ReplyDelete"You may think that certainly all people realize they sin. But many people rationalize sin. They claim their intentions are pure. Or they may say they've never committed the really BIG SINS like murder or adultery."
I had a loved one who used to tell me that she was good...didn't do anything to hurt anyone and that church was for hypocrites. After YEARS of us being a living witness before her and sharing Christ as led by the Holy Spirit; last year January she gave her life to HIM!!
The deception of satan is that we are good enough for heaven if we're not committing the BIG SINS when GOD IS A HOLY GOD and will not accept any sin...WE NEED JESUS! We can't be "good enough" to get to heaven. Just as going to church doesn't make us saved. Only repentance and confession of our faith in Jesus Christ can do that.
Oh Debbie you are ALL OVER the subject that is important to me and those whom I love and those whom I pray for -- the LOST.
Love you sister! Keep speaking TRUTH as you do and keep living it in Him. You are a bright light for JESUS!!
What a SAVIOR!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing such a clear explanation of humanity's need and our Awesome GOD's priceless provision.
Blessings to you and yours.
((HUGS))
You speak the truth, Debbie...AMEN! :-)
ReplyDeleteI pray many will come by, those who haven't found this narrow road. Great post! Blessings to you sister Debbie.
ReplyDeleteSpeak it sis.
ReplyDeleteFrom the inside out--the only one who can do that! Great post, Debbie.
ReplyDeletePowerful post, Debbie. I think that is why I always like to read the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John...There is only one way to heaven, and I need a reminder now and then...
ReplyDeleteLove & peace,
<>< Iris
Debbie, you did a beautiful job of explaining salvation and WHY we need our Savior. I pray that someone who doesn't know Jesus -- who doesn't understand WHY -- will stumble upon this post.
ReplyDeleteLove & hugs,
Beth
Every blessing and gift of
ReplyDeleteGod is contingent upon our
being able to receive them
by faith. I think the reason
some people never become
Christians is because it
literally sounds too good to
be true. But if we come to
Him as a little child we
can take His free and awesome
gift of salvation in the
fullest sense. Great word
today, Debbie!
Blessings,
Sandy
Amen! Great post.
ReplyDeleteI'm stopping by from Faithful Bloggers and I wrote about the same verse:
http://www.bygracealone.net/2010/08/romans-road.html
Blessings!
Jessica
Excellent!! Loved the package graphic.
ReplyDeleteI've been a Christian for a very long time, and yet it is good to be reminded of what I have been saved from. Love you,