Roman Road

November 2023 a small group of us were scheduled to travel to Israel on a Mediteranean cruise out of Rome. Due to the situation in Israel at the time both of those ports were replaced, and we shifted our focus of the trip from the Footsteps of Jesus to the Footsteps of Paul. Some of our stops were Ephesus, Corinth, Cyprus, and many other stops in and around Greece, Turkey, and Italy. The stop I think I was most excited about was Salerno Italy which allowed us to have a private tour of Pompeii.

If any of you are unfamiliar with the story of Pompeii, let me enlighten you. Pompeii was like the Hamptons of the Roman Empire. Anyone who was anyone visited Pompeii, the housing was elegant and elaborate, the streets were paved, and the city was full of artwork, fountains, and a hub for entertainment and trading. They were known for their production of wine and olives because of the fertile volcanic soil in that area. In 79 A.D., the nearby volcano, Mount Vesuvius erupted. Ash, gas, and rock poured down the mountain and covered everything in its path which actually created a unique preservation of the underlying city of Pompeii. People were essentially frozen in place holding the items they were holding when it happened. In about 1748 explorers began to dig and they were able to uncover the preserved city as it was almost 2000 years before. The original streets were still under there, the fountains, the marble floors, the people… They were able to find the artwork and original structures.

Much of Pompeii is still standing today and as we walked through there was an overwhelming feeling of sadness, but awe. Our tour guide said something as we were walking that struck deep down in my spirit. We were crossing over the road, and she called it the “Original Roman Road.” This single statement changed my perspective on ALL that we had seen on this trip. Walking through Corinth and Ephesus were beyond words, but this idea of an “Original” Roman road almost took my breath away. Growing up in a Baptist church I was taught the “Roman Road” as the means to share the plan of salvation with others. It was like this guides statement was a tangible awakening of Salvation for me. It brought it to life in my spirit.

So, what is the Roman Road? The Roman Road was a tool we used to share the gospel with nonbelievers. It was a “cheat sheet” to help others understand what the Bible says about salvation and us.

1. All humans are sinful – Romans 3:23 – For ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
2. Sin brings about death, but God offers us eternal life through Jesus – Romans 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
3. We can have hope because of God’s love for us – Romans 5:8 – But God demonstrates his own love for us in this; while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
4. Our job is to understand that we NEED a savior and that our savior is Jesus – Romans 10:9-10 – If you declare 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 with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
5. If we believe and confess, we WILL be saved – Romans 10:13 – Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
6. Through salvation we can be justified and walk in His peace – Romans 5:1-2 – Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.
   • Romans 8:1 – There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

I KNOW this roman road… but what did the “Original Roman Road” speak to me.

If you look at the photo attached here, you will see the original roman road as I was looking at it when our tour guide blew my mind.

This is what I see…I see a path to Righteousness.

I see a path with uneven steps – it’s not an easy path – it requires you to pay attention as to not fall.

I see a path with obstacles – but even with those obstacles I see a work around.

I see imprints of where others travelled this path.

I see a gate at the end that will bring me to the next season.

I see, salvation lived out. We walk through life thinking it should be easy. There shouldn’t be obstacles, there shouldn’t be areas that can trip us up. And to be honest, it wasn’t meant to be this way… It is a path that can be navigated if we keep our focus on the light, on the savior, on the ONE who knows which step is sold and which step may break your ankle.

If you are on a tough path today… look forward, watch for His hand, listen for His direction… it doesn’t mean you lack faith, it doesn’t mean you can’t do it, it just means you need to let Him lead. He knows the path perfectly and will NOT let you fall. Don’t get distracted by the path itself… watch for Him and you WILL have victory!