Receiving the Gift- Romans Road Part 4 – Romans 10:9-10

For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. Romans 10:9-10 (NLT)

I overcomplicate things; my wife tells me that I take a simple matter and find a way to make it difficult.  I guess it is just in my nature.  I have thought long and hard on how to present this section of scripture; it is such and important part of God’s plan.  I have worried so much about getting it right that I have forgotten the basic principle that my dad taught me: God has made it simple.  So simple in fact that even a child can comprehend it. 

When we have taken the Romans Road we understand that we are lost sinners and that we deserve and are destined for Hell; we grasp that we cannot fix our problem and that we need a savior; we understand that God loves us and gave His life to save ours and that He lives again (defeating death and Hell) so that we can live eternally.  God is standing before us and offering us the greatest gift; we have to choose whether or not to accept it.  So how do we receive this gift?  It is with our heart, we have the head knowledge of God, but we must decide if we will take it to heart and let it become real in our life.  We must believe in our head? No, we must believe in our heart that Jesus loved us so much He died to pay for our sins; and that He arose to conquer death and hell.  Then we must confess Jesus’ Lordship (His power over death, His being God).  Why do we need to confess?  Our words are the outward expression of the heart; if we truly believe with our heart, our words will follow suite (Luke 6:45).

Accepting the gift of salvation is a heart thing; it is not gained with fancy prayers or great speeches.  It is about you opening your heart to the truth in Jesus Christ and allowing God to forgive you for your sins.  He will not force down your hearts door; He will simply knock.  Will you let Him in and accept this great gift of eternal life?  It will change your life forever!  Do not concern yourself with men who try to complicate the gospel of Jesus; it is simple.  Follow the Romans Road to Jesus; allow Him to forgive you of your sins and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1John 1:9).  Fear not, you cannot mess it up; when you seek God with all your heart, He will meet you there (Jeremiah 29:13)!  

I will never forget the day that I called to my dad from my bedroom and told him I wanted to be saved.  He went through Romans Road with me; I bowed my head and prayed, “Lord forgive me for my sins.” I invited Him into my heart: He came. He will do the same for you!