Romans Road Step #4: The Options

The 6th chapter of Romans, we read this well-known verse:

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 6:23)

This verse present “The Options” and our 4th step in The Romans Road.

It’s referred to as, The Options because as we walk a friend or neighbour through the Romans Road, this is the point where they’re faced with a fork in the road.

With one path, we find a warning and the other, a promise.

In Romans 6:23, there is a warning for those who choose to walk down this world’s path of pleasure and self-satisfaction. A warning that “…the wages of sin is death…”

The Warning

At the end of a life without Jesus, there is only sin. And the price we pay for living a life of only sin is death and destruction. An eternity in hell, separated from God.

This path of this world is lush and green, easy to walk and meanders slightly down hill. It is in fact, the easier road. But we’re warned that we cannot see what is in that distant valley at the end of that path.

According to Scripture, it’s a valley of “…weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matt. 13:42), a valley of torment and eternal separation from God.

The Promise

But in this verse, we also find a promise for those who choose a different path, God’s path. To them, there is a promise that “…the gift of God is eternal life…”

Instead of eternity separated from God in hell, this person will spend eternity in heaven, basking in God’s glory.

The path to God is an up hill path, with difficult, rocky terrain. Let’s never confuse the ease in which we can choose to believe in Jesus, with the difficulty in which we will have in following Him.

The choice at the fork in the road is a step in either direction. Once we’re on that Christian path to God, that eternal becomes our future, but this present life gets a lot more difficult.

The Prosperity Gospel Is a Sham

Too many pastors have preached messages of health, wealth and prosperity; that once we choose that path to Jesus, life becomes a breeze. But that’s not what the Bible teaches.

The Christians in the Bible faced innumerable hardships after choosing to follow Jesus. But the rewards always far outweighed the hardships.

Throughout history Christ has walked each and every Believer through many difficulties, never giving them anything that they couldn’t handle. The same is true for us. And the same will be true for our friends and neighbours.

Evangelise Honestly

When we share our faith, let’s not hide what the Bible teaches to be true. Let’s not hide what history has proven. Let’s not hide what we have experienced in our own lives.

When we walk people down this Romans Road, let’s make sure we give them the full story.

Join the Conversation, Leave Your Thoughts

Romans 6:23 speaks of a choice between eternal death or eternal life. Why is important to explain the end result of these two paths?

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