At this point in the book we have covered all topics of systematic theology except for the doctrine of the church (ecclesiology) and the doctrine of last things (eschatology). That is, we have examined what the Bible as a whole teaches on all aspects of God, mankind in relation to God, Christ, and culminating in the doctrine of salvation. Those with the perseverance to undertake the study of theology in this manner are to be commended, but there is a shortcut that may be useful for many.
This shortcut is called the Roman’s Road to Salvation and relies exclusively on Paul’s letter to the Romans. Romans is the closest the Bible gets to a systematic theological treatment of salvation. Paul presents his theological logic in such a compelling way that the book of Romans has historically been used at Law schools as an example of how to make a strong legal argument. The Roman’s Road to Salvation therefore takes excerpts from Romans to present the doctrine of salvation in a succinct and understandable manner. Technically this is a form of Biblical theology as it only looks at a single book, but salvation according to the book of Romans is fully consistent with the systematic theology of salvation.
There are different formulations of Roman’s Road to Salvation, but a common one consists of the following four subjects:
- The Problem
- The Hope
- The Required Action
- The Results
The problem with humanity is our sinful condition resulting in a broken relationship with God. But even with our sinful condition there is hope in Jesus Christ. All that is required is to repent of our sins and submit to Jesus as our Lord and Savior. If we do this, our broken relationship with God will be made right and our problem with sin is solved.
Although simplistic, these four points summarize the aspects of the gospel message that should be understood by someone considering conversion. That is, these four can appropriately be used as a gospel call. Furthermore, each of these points is clearly presented by Paul in Romans, which is why they are called the Roman’s Road to Salvation. Each of these points is now further considered as they are addressed in Romans.
The Problem. The problem with humanity is that we have sinned against God and therefore have a broken relationship with God. Paul cites the OT to demonstrate that our broken relationship with God is an old teaching: “THERE IS NO RIGHTEOUS PERSON, NOT EVEN ONE” (Rom 3:10). To be righteous is to have a right relationship with God. Everyone has a sinful nature and therefore everyone’s relationship with God is broken. Paul continues, “[F]or all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23). Paul explains that our sinful nature results in us being spiritually dead: “For the wages of sin is death…” (Rom 6:23).
The Hope. But there is hope. Because God loves us and wants to be in a right relationship with us, He sent his only Son to earth to die for our sins. Paul writes, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8). We are completely undeserving of this act of love. We therefore must put our hope in God’s grace and mercy rather than in our own efforts. If we accept God’s free gift through faith, our relationship with the Father becomes positionally righteous and we become spiritually alive. “[T]he gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ” (Rom 6:23).
The Required Action. We can accept the gracious free gift of God by accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. This will make right your relationship with God and result in salvation. Paul put is this way, “[I]f you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation” (Rom 10:9-10). Furthermore, this free give is offered to everyone. Paul again cites the OT, showing that God’s free give of salvation has been the same throughout time: “EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED” (Rom 10:13).
The Results. After being saved by faith through grace, our relationship with God is healed and justified. With this brings peace, comfort, and the hope of eternal life in the presence of God’s glory. “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we also have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we celebrate in hope of the glory of God” (Rom 5:1-2). Even though we remain sinners, we are now adopted sons and daughters of God and are therefore no longer condemned. “Therefore there is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:1).
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