How to save a life, part 1

Evangelism, that is, not CPR. The truth is that we are made for eternity. God wants to have an eternal, lasting, deep relationship with each and every one of us. So it follows that one of the best ways to save a life is to share God's gospel message with others.

That's what the February issue of ec is all about. The lead article, "How to Save a Life," talked honestly about relationship evangelism. Sometimes the best way to be a witness in someone's life is to live out your faith honestly right in front of them. When they see that you really believe what you say and do what you've said you would do, you earn the right to talk to them about matters of faith. They can trust you and they can trust your faith; now it's time to show them what the Bible has to say about salvation. And that's where it sometimes gets scary.

So this week, you'll find several different evangelism tools here on ec's blog. Today we'll be walking through the plan of salvation as presented in the Book of Romans. This is often called the "Romans Road." Here goes:

• All people are characterized by sin which separates us from God. Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

• Sin has consequences, namely, death. Romans 6:23a: “For the wages of sin is death.”

• But God has made a way for us! All people have hope because “the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23b)

• God loves us so much that He sent His Son to earth to die. Only Christ's sacrifice could restore the relationship with God our sinfulness had damaged. Romans 5:8: “But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us!”

• God extends His offer of salvation to all people. Romans 10:13: “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

• It is not enough to simply believe in God. To become a Christian—to be adopted as God's own children—we must recognize our sinfulness, confess it, repent, and turn away from our old way of life. Romans 10:9: “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.”

• God makes us a new creation in Him. He calls us to live differently, to allow Him to shine through our lives. Romans 12:1-2: “Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.”