The Romans Road To Salvation

1. Know that you are a sinner

Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." We have all sinned. We have all done things that are displeasing to God. There is no one who is innocent.

2. Realize the penalty for sin

Romans 6:23, teaches us about the consequences of sin - "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." The punishment that we have earned for our sins is death. Not just physical death, but eternal death!
    
3. Recognize the Gift of Eternal Life

Romans 5:8 declares, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Jesus Christ died for us! Jesus' death paid for the price of our sins. Jesus' resurrection proves that God accepted Jesus' death as the payment for our sins.
 
4. Escape the penalty of sin

Romans 10:9, "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Because of Jesus' death on our behalf, all we have to do is believe in Him, trusting His death as the payment for our sins - and we will be saved!

5.  Accept Jesus as Savior

Romans 10:13 says it again, "for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Jesus died to pay the penalty for our sins and rescue us from eternal death. Salvation, the forgiveness of sins, is available to anyone who will trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Saying this prayer is a way to declare to God that you are relying on Jesus Christ for your salvation. The words themselves will not save you. Only faith in Jesus Christ can provide salvation, followed by repentence of your sin!  "God, I know that I have sinned against you and am deserving of punishment.  But Jesus Christ took the punishment that I deserve so that through faith in Him I could be forgiven. I believe that Jesus Christ gave His life for me, was raised from the dead, and is preparing a place for me in Heaven. With your help, I turn away from my sin and place my trust in You for salvation.  Thank You for Your wonderful grace and forgiveness - the gift of eternal life!  In Jesus’ Name, Amen!"

6. Repent of your sin.  "For Godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death."      2 Cor. 7:10 

To repent simply means to turn away from and go the opposite direction.  You were on the path to hell, your Godly sorrow caused you to turn away from the lifestyle of sin that you had previously been living, and you now begin living a life of thanksgiving because of what Jesus Christ did for you on the Cross, doing that which you could not do for yourself by giving you salvation!