By way of introduction to the book of Romans, we have arranged a short trip down the Roman road with the apostle Paul. He will be our tour guide and conductor and he will give us the backdrop of each chapter as we roll along. You will note that there is a certain progression as we travel this road.

Mile 1: The whole world guilty (Romans chaps 1-3)

On the first mile of the trip, Paul is going to show us that the whole world is guilty before Christ and is destined to be judged; He also shows us, that this includes both the Jew & Gentile:

*The Jews because they had the law and did not live up to its demands…

*The Gentiles, because they were subject to the law of conscience and did not live up to its demands…all are guilty in the light of a Holy God.

Mile 2: The means of justification (Romans chaps 3-4)

On the second mile of this trip, (having proved to us that we are all guilty) – Paul then points us to the ways and means of justification – through Christ alone. By faith alone, which comes by grace – no works accepted! Abraham is used as the prime example of justification by faith – without works. David is also used as an example of one who is forgiven without works.

Note: We are looking at salvation, and to come through this gate there are no works involved – it is faith alone. However, there are other junctures along this trip where we must prove our faith by our works!

Mile 3: The evidence of justification (Romans chap 5)

As we proceed down this road, we now begin to see some of the evidences of justification. For example: peace with God, joy, and hope. In fact, Paul begins to show us how that God’s grace far exceeds our alienation and condemnation.

Mile 4: The way of the cross (Romans chap 6)

Now, the Roman road begins to climb a rather steep hill, and there at the top is the cross. The apostle Paul explains that there is an experience beyond justification. One can be justified by faith, but he is still struggling with a nature that wants to sin. Here is a part of the trip that many believers never see or experience. Our tour guide wants us to fully understand the significance of this monument on the hill. The bus parks for a long while; our conductor wants us to gaze upon this landmark until we see ourselves on this cross: "knowing this…" (Rom 6:6).

Mile 5: The evidence of the cross (Romans chap 6)

As the trip continues, we begin to ask ourselves did I just imagine this, or am I really crucified with Christ? How is this to be reckoned? How is this to be realized? Well, there were certain proofs when I was justified, and my tour guide says that we can also calculate from certain telltale signs that we were crucified as well. For one thing, sin no longer controls my life and His commandments seem so endearing to me. And, there is no longer the struggle to do the right thing – it is my delight.

Mile 6: Going back in time (Romans chap 7)

Now we come to a tunnel… it is a time tunnel, and our conductor takes us back in time to give us a picture of what it was like before the cross (chap 7). It was a time when we tried to live the law through our own effort. It was quite demoralizing. All of the things that I knew were right, I found very hard to do; and, all of the things that I knew were wrong, I found very easy to do. By the time I came to the end of the tunnel, I found myself saying: "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?"

Mile 7: The path becomes brighter (Romans chap 8)

On the next stretch of road, things became bright again. I see the cross again in a new light…there is no more condemnation. Christ took my sinful nature to the cross with him. Now, I can understand why the law no longer offends me, my sin nature is on the cross and I have no struggle doing the right thing. In fact, I have a new power to yield my members to righteousness.

Mile 8: Election Way (Romans chap 9-11)

On the next leg down the Roman road, our guide is going to show us why we were elected. Why God elects some and rejects others…why God ordains and predestines some to go left and some to go right. The mystery of predestination becomes quite vivid along this stretch. God orchestrates everything by His foreknowledge and our will plays a part in that determination. God knows what people will do if given the chance. Let us make our calling and election sure.

Mile 9: Our reasonable service (Romans chap 12)

As our highway continues down chapter twelve, we are given a clear view of the type of service that God expects from our lives – not only in personal consecration, but in our service to one another – the Body of Christ.

Mile 10: The kingdom highway (Romans chap 13-14)

The Roman road eventually turns into the kingdom highway. The kingdom highway has some very precise rules: How we are to conduct ourselves as citizens upon earth, our attitude towards authority, and our conduct in society are all an exhibition of the kingdom within: righteousness, peace and joy. Our conductor also lays down certain ground rules concerning our attitude towards other members of the body of Christ.

Mile 11: Other riders on the bus (Romans chap 15)

As we are reaching the conclusion of our trip, Paul begins to deal with a little segregation problem on the bus. It seems that there is still a little barrier between the Jewish and Gentile passengers… you know, the Jewish believers are sitting on one side and the Gentiles on the other. Paul is definitely working on this rift before they arrive at the desired haven.

Mile 12: Monument valley (Romans chap 16)

In this final leg of the trip, the apostle gives us a little tour through monument valley. He points to the monuments of characters that have had an influence upon him and the church. Perhaps, they are names that are not easily recognized and yet they are names that will be great in heaven. They are people that are in the background; people that have ministered to the needs of God’s people… even hazarded their lives for the kingdom. They are people whose faces will be known in eternity.

Thus, we end the Romans tour with a feeling of satisfaction and hope that we too might end our lives as models of the true Christian faith, and with the hopes that our faces would be found worthy to be carved in monument valley. Amen!