The gospel in Paul’s words

The Romans Road to salvation

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek.

— Romans 1:16 (BSB)

Paul’s letter to the Romans is the Bible’s fullest explanation of the good news about Jesus, so Christians have long walked people through it one verse at a time, like stops along a road. The verses below are word for word from the Berean Standard Bible, in the order most people use.

1. 1

   Everyone has sinned Romans 3:23-24

   for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

   — Romans 3:23-24 (BSB)

   The road starts with bad news that is true of everyone. Sin is more than breaking rules: it is falling short of the glory of God, living for ourselves instead of for Him. Paul says “all” on purpose: religious and irreligious, good neighbors and bad. But notice the second half of the sentence: the same people who fall short can be justified freely, by grace.

   Think about it: Where have I fallen short of God’s glory?

2. 2

   Sin earns death, but God gives life Romans 6:23

   For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

   — Romans 6:23 (BSB)

   A wage is something earned; a gift is not. What sin earns is death: separation from God, now and forever. What God offers is the opposite, eternal life, and He offers it as a gift “in Christ Jesus our Lord.” You cannot earn a gift. You can only receive it.

   Think about it: Am I trying to earn what God offers as a gift?

3. 3

   Christ died for us while we were still sinners Romans 5:8

   But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

   — Romans 5:8 (BSB)

   God did not wait for us to clean ourselves up. Jesus died for us while we were still sinners, taking the death our sin earned. The cross is how God proves His love: not in words but in the death of His Son in our place. Three days later God raised Him from the dead.

   Think about it: What does the cross tell me about how God sees me?

4. 4

   Confess Jesus as Lord and believe Romans 10:9-10

   that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved.

   — Romans 10:9-10 (BSB)

   How do you receive the gift? By believing in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, and confessing with your mouth that Jesus is Lord. Belief is trusting Him, not just agreeing about Him. Confessing Him as Lord means He is now in charge of your life. This is the turn the Bible calls repentance and faith.

   Think about it: Do I believe God raised Jesus? Will I call Him Lord?

5. 5

   Everyone who calls will be saved Romans 10:13

   for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

   — Romans 10:13 (BSB)

   This promise has no small print. “Everyone” means anyone, whatever you have done and wherever you come from. Calling on the name of the Lord is simply asking Jesus to save you, trusting that He will.

   Think about it: Is anything stopping me from calling on Him today?

6. 6

   Peace with God Romans 5:1

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

   — Romans 5:1 (BSB)

   Those who trust Christ are justified, declared right with God, through faith. The war between us and God is over. This peace does not depend on how you feel on a given day; it rests on what Jesus has done.

7. 7

   No condemnation Romans 8:1

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

   — Romans 8:1 (BSB)

   For those who are in Christ Jesus, the verdict is in and it will not change: no condemnation. Guilt and shame no longer have the last word.

8. 8

   Nothing can separate us Romans 8:38-39

   For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height 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.

   — Romans 8:38-39 (BSB)

   The road ends not with a rule but with a promise. Nothing in all creation, not death, not the future, not anything else, can separate God’s children from His love in Christ Jesus.

If you want to respond today

Words alone don’t save anyone; Jesus does. But if you believe what these verses say, tell Him. Prayer is simply talking to God, and you can do it right now, in your own words or with this prayer of salvation.

Pray the prayer of salvation →

Your next steps

• Tell someone. Tell a Christian friend, family member or pastor that you have put your trust in Jesus. They will want to celebrate with you and help you grow.
• Read the Gospel of John. One chapter a day for three weeks: the John in 21 days plan lets you read each chapter right here.
• Find a church that teaches the Bible. Following Jesus was never meant to be done alone.
• Pray every day. Start with today’s short prayer or the A.C.T.S. pattern.
• Be baptized. Jesus told His followers to be baptized. Ask your church about it.

How to share the Romans Road with a friend

• Listen first. Ask what they believe about God and why. People listen to those who have listened to them.
• Open the Bible together. Let the verses do the talking: read each one aloud and ask, ‘What do you think this means?’
• Tell your own story. Share briefly how you came to trust Jesus and what changed.
• Don’t pressure. Invite, don’t push. The Holy Spirit is the one who opens hearts. If they aren’t ready, keep loving them and keep praying.
• Leave them something. Print the card below or send the link, so they can read it again on their own.

Read more

• Prayers for salvation, for yourself and for loved ones who don’t know Jesus yet
• Prayer points for the salvation of souls, for a prayer meeting or your own list
• A prayer from John 3:16

Questions