When was the last time you had to ask for directions somewhere? Guys don’t need to answer, we already know! I honestly can’t remember because with all the smart phones you just punch in the address and let the nice lady tell you when to make every turn.

But when was the last time you tried to give someone directions somewhere? This topic came up in two separate conversations this week and I was reminded that different people have very different ways of giving directions. If you grew up in the country you may very well use words like north, south, east or west. For a city boy like me those are not helpful. I need straight or left or right. Or maybe your directions are based on landmarks. When we first moved to Pennsylvania and asked directions, I can remember being told that what we were looking for was out past the ‘old’ Walmart and not too far from the new ‘Sheetz’. That was not at all helpful as I wasn’t sure where the new Walmart was and had no idea what a Sheetz was. 

Giving directions is actually an art form. To be able to direct someone to a precise location who has never been there and not at all familiar with the area is not as easy as it sounds. You have to be clear and anticipate where the pitfalls and possible wrong turns will come. You have to know the way very well yourself!

Now, what about heaven? How good would you be if someone were to ask directions to heaven? How do you get to heaven? You have to be precise. This person is already lost and you don’t want to compound their lostness.
When Jesus was meeting in that little upper room with his 12 disciples the night he was killed, he was trying to explain to them what was going to happen. Trying to comfort them in the fact that he was leaving and returning to the Father in heaven. At one point he tells them that they know the way to where he is going. Thomas says, “Lord, we do not know where you are going, how do we know the way?”
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me.” Apparently the way to heaven is a one way street and it passes through Jesus. Talk about precise. There aren’t multiple ways to get there. There aren’t multiple ways of thinking that all lead to God. There is only one street, and apparently it is narrow and can be easily missed (Matthew 7:13-14).

While there is only one way to God, through Jesus, there are probably countless methods of explaining the one way to get there. Personal testimony is probably the best, tell them simply how you got there! But here is another tool, a way to answer the question. It’s called Romans Road and it is five truths that a person needs to believe and act upon. Even if the person you are talking to doesn’t believe the Bible, remember they have never been here and aren’t familiar with the area – just explain the truth behind the statements.
1. Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Foundational truth that we are all equally sinful, born that way in fact and separated from God.
2. Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” The unconditional love of God that in our rebellion he still loves us and longs for a relationship with us. Introduces Christ as the sacrifice for sin, but why?
3. Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Sin comes with a cost. Death, the wrath of God, is the just outcome of sin. But Christ sacrifices his sinless life, to pay the wages for my sin.
4. Romans 8:1, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” This is the really good news. Christ’s death is an acceptable form of payment for sin, for every single person. And with the payment made there is no condemnation, no future penalty, no wrath. Paid in full
5. Romans 10:9, “That 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.” The way to secure this payment is through confess Jesus as Lord. That means confessing our own sin, believing Jesus is Savior and as Lord, living our life to please him. There is a repentance or turning from the old life of sin.

Five Truths, five right turns in a world filled with wrong turns, back alleys and deadly exit ramps. Know these truths for yourself, memorize the way and begin asking God for the opportunity to point someone in the right direction.

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” 1 Peter 3:15

“Heaven?, I’m glad you asked!”