Below are two common methods of simplifying and explaining what the Bible refers to as the gospel, meaning “good news!” The first is called the Four Spiritual Laws, and the second is called the Roman’s Road.
FOUR SPIRITUAL LAWS
Law #1 – God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.
God’s Love – John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
God’s Plan – John 10:10, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
Why is it that most people are not experiencing the abundant life?
Law #2 – Man is sinful and separated from God. Therefore, he cannot know and experience God’s love and plan for his life.
Man is Sinful – Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
Man is Separated – Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death.”
The third law explains the only way to bridge this gulf.
Law #3 – Jesus Christ is God’s only provision for man’s sin. Through Jesus you can know and experience God’s love and plan for your life.
He Died In Our Place – Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
He Rose from the Dead – 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, “Christ died for our sins…and He was buried, and He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”
He Is the Only Way to God – John 14:6, “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”
It is not enough just to know these three laws.
Law #4 – We must individually receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; then we can know and experience God’s love and plan for our lives.
We Must Receive Christ – “As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name” (John 1:12).
We Receive Christ Through Faith – “By grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as result of works that no one should boast” (Ephesians 2:8,9).
We Receive Christ Through Personal Invitation – “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him” (Revelation 3:20).
THE ROMANS ROAD
The Bad News…
Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
– Sin is anything that we do which disobeys God. All of us are guilty of sin.
Romans 6:23a, “For the wages of sin is death.”
– Wages is what we earn. The consequence for our sin is death and separation from God.
The Good News…
Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
– God became a man, Jesus, and took our sin upon Himself and died in our place in order to satisfy God’s wrath.
Romans 6:23b, “The free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.”
– Salvation means to be rescued, and salvation is offered as a free gift from God!
Romans 10:9, 13, “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
– You can accept God’s free gift and entrust yourself to Jesus alone for the forgiveness of your sins.
Romans 8:1, “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
– Because of God’s mercy and grace, the punishment that I deserve has been removed, thanks to Jesus!
Someone can pray a prayer like this, that might reflect the attitude of their heart. “God, I’m a sinner and I’m sorry. I’m choosing now to trust Jesus alone to forgive me of my sin. I know that He paid the penalty for my sin, even though He was innocent. I believe there is no other way to get to heaven but by trusting in Jesus alone, and not in any good works. Help me to grow in my faith and trust in Jesus. Help me to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I’ll be with you in heaven when I die. I pray these things in Jesus name, Amen!”