Have you ever been in a conversation with a friend or family member and felt a strong urge to share God’s love, but you didn’t quite know where to start? Maybe you worried about saying the right thing or finding the perfect Bible verse? Well, you’re not alone. Many of us have been there, feeling that desire to share our faith, but not knowing how to express it clearly and sincerely.

That’s where a tract such as “Steps to Peace with God” comes in — it’s an approach that encapsulates the message of the Gospel in a way that’s relatable and genuine, simple, but yet profound. It’s like having a friendly guide in those moments when you want to talk about your faith in Christ but aren’t sure how to begin. Let’s spend a few moments to take a brief look at some of the Bible verses featured in this simple yet powerful tool, exploring how a tract such as this can help us express God’s love naturally and confidently in our everyday conversations.

John 3:16

Let’s start by reflecting on John 3:16, often considered the heartbeat of the Bible’s message: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” This verse isn’t just a platitude or merely a promise; it’s a revelation of the depth of God’s love.  It speaks to the very basis of our faith, reminding us of the immeasurable sacrifice made for us.  It is not simply teaching about love, it is not merely saying “I love you,” rather it is showing it, proving it – with action.  God died so that you could live.

Romans 3:23

Next, think about Romans 3:23… as it is imperative that we first share the bad news of sin and its consequences, before then sharing the glorious good news of the Gospel: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” This verse bridges the gap between us and others in conversation as we recognize mankind’s shared problem, while more importantly showing the vast chasm that our sin has caused between us and our Creator.  

Sharing this verse in a Gospel conversation is not about judgment from one man to another; rather it puts us all squarely “in the same boat,” all deserving of the righteous judgment of God.  We all have a desperate need for God’s grace.  Apart from acknowledging the sickness of our sin, there can be no hope for the cure from the hand (and cross) of the Great Physician.  Not only knowing the reality of our fallen condition, but experiencing Holy Spirit wrought contrition is a necessary prerequisite for seeing and taking hold of God’s grace as something truly “amazing.”

1 Peter 3:18

After spending time on sin and God’s judgment, and trusting the Holy Spirit to convict hearts, then Consider 1 Peter 3:18… a powerful verse that illustrates Christ’s sacrifice as the only remedy for our great sin problem: “For Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God. Put to death in the flesh, he was brought to life in the spirit.” When we comprehend the depth of this sacrifice, it becomes a cornerstone of our Gospel conversations. It’s not just an event in history; it’s a living truth, an ever-flowing well of grace from which we may draw in our interactions with others.  Steps to Peace with God does a beautiful job of highlighting both our separation from God, and the steadfast and sure-footed bridge that only the cross of Christ can provide.

1 Corinthians 1:18

“Steps to Peace with God”  is a tract that breaks down these complexities of the bad news of our sin and the glorious good news of the cross into concise, Biblical pieces.  You might think of it as a roadmap, guiding us through the intricacies of sharing our faith. 1 Corinthians 1:18 reaffirms the simple, yet eternally profound nature of the Gospel message as we share: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”  The power to save lies not in our words, nor our best efforts to communicate, nor our “remembering all the right things to say,” no – the power to save resides with God alone.

Romans 10:13

Be encouraged with how Romans 10:13 reinforces the accessibility of God’s grace as you take a tool such as a Gospel tract in your hand to share with another: “Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.” Responding to the Lord is not a complicated ritual; it’s a heartfelt calling out to God with repentance and faith, a dependent and thankful response to His invitation to experience His love and forgiveness at the foot of the cross. This accessibility of the Gospel, available to all who would “confess with your mouth ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead,” comes with a straightforward guarantee from the Lord… do so and “you will be saved.” 

Ephesians 2:8-9

Finally for now, always remember Ephesians 2:8-9, a powerful reminder of the freeness of God’s grace: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” This verse underlines the truth so beautifully expressed by the hymn writer, “nothing in my hands I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling.”  Salvation is a gift, not an achievement.  What we could never do for ourselves, God has done for us – to be experienced through faith, as a gift by His grace.

Conclusion

As you go out to share the Gospel, let’s remember these words so well encapsulated by the ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ… ” Success in witnessing is taking the initiative to share the gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results to God.” When we approach our conversations with this mindset, we step into the realm of divine partnership. It’s not about us convincing anyone, it’s not about our words or the tract we use; it’s about us faithfully sharing the message, trusting the Holy Spirit to work in hearts. Our role is to sow seeds of faith; God takes care of the fruit.