The Four Spiritual Laws (is it biblical?)

sermonindex Jul 29, 2003

Approximately 1.5 billion copies of the Four Spiritual Laws have been printed but is this message really the message that is going to impact peoples lifes with the gospel and help them to become 'new creations' in Christ? here is the tract below with my input:----------Just as there are physical laws that govern the physical universe, so are there spiritual laws which govern your relationship with God.Law 1 - God LOVES you and offers a wonderful PLAN for your life. God's Love "God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16 NIV). God's Plan [Christ speaking] "I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly" [that it might be full and meaningful] (John 10:10). Why is it that most people are not experiencing the abundant life? Because... The first statement they try to propose and back w/ the two sciptures seems not to be the point of the gospel: Why is it that most people are not experiencing the abundant life?. Jesus came to die for our sins and save us from Hell! He came to destroy the works of the devil. being in relationship with God can result in a meaningful and fruitful, abundant life but also if you become a Christian you WILL be persucted and suffer for the gospel, thats what the bible says.Man is SINFUL and SEPARATED from God. Therefore, he cannot know and experience God's love and plan for his life. Man Is Sinful "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Man was created to have fellowship with God; but, because of his stubborn self-will, he chose to go his own independent way, and fellowship with God was broken. This self-will, characterized by an attitude of active rebellion or passive indifference, is an evidence of what the Bible calls sin. Man Is Separated "The wages of sin is death" [spiritual separation from God] (Romans 6:23). Heaven and Hell are real destinations and the ultimate choice is ours. "... those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus ... will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord ..." (2 Thessalonians. 1:8,9; NIV) This is probably the most powerful part of the tract because it shows there IS a heaven and hell. But the point of our life is not to go to heaven but its still to enjoy our abundant life here. Throughout the bible there are lots of cases where the apostles desire to be with Christ in heaven more than live on the earth.Jesus Christ is God's ONLY provision for man's sin. Through Him you can know and experience God's love and plan for your life. He Died in Our Place "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). He Rose From the Dead "Christ died for our sins...He was buried...He was raised on the third day, according to the Scriptures...He appeared to Peter, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred..." (1 Corinthians 15:3-6). He Is the Only Way to God "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me'" (John 14:6). Quoting the words of the tract: 'He Is the Only Way to God' EXACTLY he isnt just the way for an abundant peace filled, joyful life, but is the way to God! 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 a result of works, that no one should boast" (Ephesians 2:8,9). When We Receive Christ, We Experience a New Birth (Read John 3:1-8.) We Receive Christ by Personal Invitation [Christ speaking] "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). Receiving Christ involves turning to God from self (repentance) and trusting Christ to come into our lives to forgive our sins and to make us what He wants us to be. Just to agree intellectually that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died on the cross for our sins is not enough. Nor is it enough to have an emotional experience. We receive Jesus Christ by faith, as an act of the will. I think that rev3:20 is misquoted here, it clearly refers to backslidden christians in that it was written to a church! the church of laodicea! 'Christ to come into our lives to forgive our sins and to make us what He wants us to be' NO Christ came to forgive us our sins and to make us a new Creation, to give us his Holy Spirit who is a depost guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possesion. When we accept Christ he becomes our master and his WILL is our will.I am just wording some of my ideas please feel free to comment and take whatever info you can from it.

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Nasher Jul 30, 2003

God the Son (The Lord Jesus Christ) came into the world to bring us into a relationship with God.If any man (or woman) wants to have a relationship with God they must put all their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ alone.

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gift Jul 31, 2003

I am quite sure what was written in the 4 spiritual law (4SL) is biblical.The gospel is not just about what happen to you when you die, but God also want to give us an abundant life while we live. If gospel is just about the after death lives, then Jesus wouldn't have need to heal, provided needs, Elijah wouldn't have to supply the widow with more than enough food during the famine. Of course christianity isn't a bed a roses, and bible say "all who live a godly lives will suffer persecution". But it also comes with blessing of God, for your studies, work life, family, heal your sickness etc...The 4SL mainly wrote that God loves us, so that whoever looks at it doesn't feel that our God is a God that onyl Condemn our sins, But He love us first.True that heaven is a good place. The reason is mainly because we have the presence of God there, while hell is eternity without God. We shouldn't always view lives on earth suffering, that we can only enjoy ourselves when we reach heaven. From the very start, God create heaven as well as earth. God place Adam and Eve here to led an abundant lives, that was the very purpose of God. We are not of the world, but we are still in the world, and God has create many many wonderful, nice things in the world for us to enjoy and to be in awe od Him.Jesus is the only way to God. He broke the power of death over our lives, He also broke the power of sin over our lives, He broke the power of sickness over our lives, He broke the power of poverty over our lives etc... He does more than providing us a way to reconcile with God, but He provide us with a chance to communicate with God directly, He send us the Holy Spirit to guide us how to led our lives. Let me say again. Once you receive Christ, your eternal abundant life start NOW! Death is merely a transition period.True, the will of God should be our will. But a lot of time, God allow us to make our own decision, and a lot of decision doesn't have a right or wrong, and the Holy spirit chose to keep Himself silent of this. Those are the time God want us to make our own decision. God didn't make us to be robot. And God is concern about what we want too. Actually I don't really understand what you mean by 'Christ to come into our lives to forgive our sins and to make us what He wants us to be' NO Christ came to forgive us our sins and to make us a new Creation, to give us his Holy Spirit who is a depost guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possesion. When we accept Christ he becomes our master and his WILL is our will.

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Eleazarj1 Aug 1, 2003

My friends, I beg you, go to the following site and listen to this sermon:http://www.livingwaters.com/start.shtmlThe sermon is called Hell's Best Kept Secret, and it totally changed my life!! Before I heard the incredible secret that Satan has been hiding from the modern church, I was a standard, lazy, false convert destined to be thrown into the lake of fire! (Rev. 21:8) I know people say this sort of thing about how great sermons are all the time but please don't overlook this!! Listen to Hell's Best Kept Secret and see for yourself whether the 4SL are Biblical or not. In regards to being happy in the world:Matthew 19:21"Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then, come follow me."No, I am not saying that we should all be dirt poor. What I am saying is that Jesus would not have told this man such a thing if the abundant life He offers has anything at all to do with anything here on earth. If God's idea of abundant life is things, which is what you are arguing, then he would not have told the man that he would literally be perfect if he sold everything he owned. Did Jesus tell him that so that he could resupply Him with a new set of riches here on earth? You don't sell your Lexus that you had before your conversion so that Jesus can give you the new "Jesus Edition" Lexus which will make you more happy than the first one. It doesn't work like that. Jesus offers abundant life in Himself and in knowing Him.Secondly, Jesus did not die to have a relationship with you. He died to forgive you for the just punishment that you deserve. Then, He asks you to die as well! Galatians 2:20 says, "I have been crucified with Christ and no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself up for me." God does NOT want to have fellowship with you. You are a lying thieving, adulterous murderer just like every other person who walked this earth. He wants you to realize your filthiness, accept His sacrifice, and die to yourself wholly and completely. Then and only then, can God take over your life, live it himself, and THEN have fellowship with himself in you. He didn't create us, sustain us, or die for us for our sake, but for His own! He wants all glory for himself, as it should be, and will only let us be a part of it if we will shut up and die to ourselves so that he can live through us.

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Allen Aug 5, 2003

Well now,.....let's see.....I'm going to sum it all up in one sentence: "Romans 5:1 Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ," If you'll notice, all of this is past tense. It's a done deal, already happened in the believer's life. Yes! It is true.....God truly loves you. You are completely forgiven, completely justified, completely sanctified, and completely accepted in Christ. Praise God, it's not about me, but it's about HIM completely.

sermonindex Aug 5, 2003

You are completely forgiven, completely justified, completely sanctified, and completely accepted in Christ. Praise God, it's not about me, but it's about HIM completely. I totally agree with you Allen. But what we are trying to get at is the idea of coming to be saved and for what purpose did you think you were being saved for! My friends, I beg you, go to the following site and listen to this sermon: The sermon is called Hell's Best Kept Secret, and it totally changed my life!!This sermon has also helped me alot with my thinking towards salvation, it was after this sermon that I began to question some of the modern evangelism tatics and doctrines.Listen to "Hells Best Kept Secret" by Ray ComfortRay Comfort's book: God has a Wonderful Plan for Your Life: the myth of the modern message. btw - Leonard Ravenhill said of this book: "A Shattering Publication!" (Here are some awesome quotes from the book:)"A.W. Pink said: the unsaved are in no condition today for the gospel till the Law be applied to their hearts, for 'by the Law is knowledge of sin.' It is a waste of time to sow seed on ground which has never been ploughed or spaded! To present the vicarious sacrifice of Chirst to those whose dominant passion is to take fill of sin is to give that which is holy to the dogs.""Martyn Lloyd-Jones said: A gospel which merely says 'Come to Jesus,' and offers Him as a Friend, and offers a marvelous new life, without covincing of sin, is not New Testament evangelism. (The essence of envangelism is to start by preaching the Lawl and it is because the Law has not been preached that we have had so much superficial evangelism.) True evangelism... must always start by preaching the Law.""After speaking of the many problems plaguing the modern Church, J.I. Packer says these insightful words: This is a complex phenomenon, to which many factors have contributed; but, if we go to the root o fthe matter, we shall find that these perplexities are all ultimately due to our having lost our grip on the biblical gospel. Without realizing it, we have during the past century bartered that gospel for a substitute product which, though it looks similar enough in points of detail, is as a whole a decidedly different thing. Hence our troubles.""Charles Finney said: Evermore the Law must prepare the way for the gospel. To overlook this in instructing souls is almost certain to result in flase hope, the introduction of a false standard of Christian experience, and to fill the Church with false converts... Time will make this plain.""False converts are nothing new. George Whitefield said of his day: That is the reason we have so many 'mushroom' converts, because their stony ground is not plowed up; they have not got a conviction of the Lawl they are stony-ground hearers.""Paris Reidhead said of Charles Finney: Finney wasin Rochester, New York, where a blue-ribbon committee of outstanding citizens was appointed by Henry Ward Beecher to study the converts who, a decade earlier, had come to Christ under Finney's preaching. It was found that eighy-five percent of those who had made professions of faith under Finney's preaching were still faithfully living for Christ.In contrast, it is being reported that only one-half of one-percent of those who make decisions for Christ in our evengelistic meetings today will be living as Christians two years from now. This should give you some idea of how far we've strayed from the Word of God."

sermonindex Aug 5, 2003

"D.L. Moody once said: It is a great mistake to give a man who has not been convicted of sin certain passages that were never meant for him. The Law is what he needs... Do not offer the consolation of the gospel until he sees and knows he is guilty before God. We must give enough of the Law to take away all self-righteousness. I pity the man who preaches only one side of the truth-always the gospel, and never the Law.""Paris Reidhead said these wonderfully wise words: If I had my way, I would declare a moratorium on public preaching of 'the plan of salvation' in Amercia for one to two years. Then I would call on everyone who has use of the airwaves and the pulpits to preach the holiness of God, the righteousness of God and the Law of God, until sinners would cry out, 'What must we do to be saved?' Then I would take them off in a corner and whisper the gospel to them. Such drastic action is needed because we have gospel-hardened a generation of sinners by telling them how to be saved before they have any understanding why they need to be saved.Don't use John 3:16. Why? Because you tell a sinner how to be saved before he has realized that he needs to be saved. What you have done is gospel-hardened him.""Issac Watts, the great hymnwriter said: I never knew but one person in the whole course of my ministry who acknowledged that the first motions of relgion in his own heart arose from a sense of the goodness of God, 'What shall I render to the Lord, who hath dealt bountifully with me?' But I think all besides who have come within my notice have rather been first awakened to fly from the wrath to come by the passion of fear.""Charles Spurgeon stated: I do not believe that any man can preach the gospel who does not preach the Law.""George Whitefield said to his hearers: First, then, before you can speak to your hearts, you must be made to see, made to feel, made to weep over, made to bewail, your actual transgressions against the Law of God."

sermonindex Aug 6, 2003

General William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, warned that in the twentieth century a gospel would be preached which promised heaven without mentioning hell.Modern evangelism did just that. Take the time to study closely the contents of today's popular tracts and see the flaws of the fast-folding presentation:1. No mention of Judgement Day2. Not a hint of hell.3. No use of the Law of God to bring the knowledge of personal sin.4. The gospel is held up as a means of happiness, rather than a means of righteousnessThis is a perfect recipe for a false conversion - a stony ground hearer.

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Agent001 Oct 14, 2003

I am addressing the very first post of this thread. I have questions about the effectiveness of using a gospel tract to confront a stranger in the postmodern age, however, I would not say that "The Four Spiritual Laws" are unbiblical.I have used this tract in the past, and I believe when properly used, it was a very useful tool for evangelism. I do think when it comes to the postmodern generation, a more personal approach such as what some call "friendship evangelism" would be more appropriate. However, I still adapt "The Four Spiritual Laws" for teaching purposes today.I am not sure if I understood the original post correctly or not, but the poster seemed to have issue with the reference to "abundant life" as a "peace-filled, joyful life" that is all comfort but no suffering.I have never understood "The Four Spiritual Laws" this way, nor do I think Bill Bright had intended them this way. The abundant life here, as far as I am concerned, is to enjoy in the relationship with God, because God has filled the void in our hearts that only He can satisfy (ref. Augustine). In God, we find the deepest satisfaction and true meaning of life regardless of being wealthy or poor, in comfort or in suffering.Now, I do think "The Four Spiritual Laws" do appear too simplistic in its teaching at some points (because we are trying to condense the gospel message into a very small pamphlet!). However, that does not therefore nullify its value and its contribution.I haven't seen any discussion on "The Alpha Course" in the forum. That would be an interesting topic. In Toronto (where I live), I noticed there are more and more churches who are holding Alpha courses.

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aphill777 Oct 14, 2003

By definition a law is something that can be violated. The "Four Spiritual Laws" really should be called the four statements of truth or something else. It is NOT a law that "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life". It is a fact!God bless it however. Most of the time God does things for sinners in spite of what we try to do, not because of what we do!

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openairboy Oct 15, 2003

This discussion isn't about proof texting, which much of modern evangelicalism is, but about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which I believe is more about Him being Lord, "confess with your mouth...", and not about "iviting him into your heart". Could you imagine the Israelites asking the Egyptians if they would like to invite YHWH into their hearts? It's rather bowing a knee to the Almighty and confessing that He is Lord.1 Corinthins 6:9-10, "Be ye not deceived; the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God." So, any time someone tells me you can be unrighteous and still enter the kingdom, I know they are trying to deceive me. Yes, Paul goes on to say, "But that's the way some of your WERE.." You see, that is past tense as well.Now, to the 4 Laws: I couldn't find the quote on their web site, but when I was in college the four laws had an opening letter from Bill Bright about people not understanding the love of God. There is an aspect that I think this is true, but to modern man he thinks God loves him indiscriminately. Yet Psalm 5:5 and 14:5 tells us that God hates, as well as Esau. The problem isn't that man doesn't think God loves him, but that God would punish him for his sins. The 4 laws are insufficient in this way, but I think the main flaw is the nature of "sharing" the Gospel.First, when you love someone, a wife, husband, etc., do you introduce them in this manner? No! Remember, we are dealing with the living God and not a set of propositions that we are seeking someone to acknowledge intellectual assent. We are introducing them to the living God! 4 points and a prayer are insufficient for such a task. Second, We need to return to the preeminence of PREACHING the Gospel. The 4 laws, despite all of its inherent theological deficiencies, fails to PREACH the Gospel. When PREACHING is restored to the primary means of convicting and converting sinners, then I think we shall see revival.Third, our sinners prayers need to be Biblical. When in our preaching or sharing is anyone asking, "What must I do to be saved?" Or, the outgushing of their heart is simply, "WOE!"FWIW

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aphill777 Oct 15, 2003

Openairboy,AMEN!!!!

sermonindex Nov 24, 2003

"There's a lovely little track, what's it called the four laws? [crowd laughing] Do you know why its popular? because its painless. It has no repentance by design, Bill Bright designed it that way, he said: 'I don't want people to think that Campus Crusade is negative.' We'll he's smarter than Jesus, he's smarter than the Apostle Paul, he's smarter than John the Baptist, because he says John begun to preach and to say... what?... next chapter Jesus began to say... what?... on the day of pentecost they said what should we do? and did Peter say read the four laws or go to a convention for a weekend, or take something to calm your mind down your getting upset? Peter on the day of pentecost said the same as Jesus, he said the same as John the Baptist, he said: 'REPENT!'"*excerpt from Purity and Fire - Part 2 by Leonard Ravenhill

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todd Nov 25, 2003

It should be noted here that late in his life Bill Bright recognized the error he had made in not focusing more on "the negative." The man was humble enough to admit this to Ray Comfort shortly before he passed on.

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Clutch Nov 27, 2003

Greg, What's the question? If the question is : 1.is it biblical?Then the answer is yes, because the Bible is quoted throughout the text of the tract. But, if the question is: 2.is it ACCURATE biblically? Then, I feel your pain over Rev. 3:20. OR is the REAL question: 3.is it effective biblical evangelism? My opinion is: " I Dunno."If these tracts are being distributed by prayed up, spirit filled , believers; then,based on the fact that the Word of God , and the Spirit of God are working in concert through these believers; I'd be rather optimistic :-D .We're seeing more and more seared conciences nowdays, but you don't have to tell most folks that they're sinners (Romans 1:18-20 an example). And we certainly don't have to act like we're glad about it.How did Jesus approach the woman at the well? OR, how about the woman caught in adultery?In the right hands, there's enough salvation in John 3:16 for the whole world. About 20 something years ago, I wrote this quote from RA Torrey in the back of my Old Scofield:Formula for Revival (Torrey):1.Let a FEW Christians get TOTALLY right with God.2.Bind themselves together in prayer groups until the power of God falls.3.Put themselves at God's disposal.One thing that sticks out in my mind from hearing Duncan Campbell ( I'm not Hyper Calvinist by any stretch): is that from 1946-53 during the Hebrides Revival 80% of those that were saved, got born again before they were ever preached to. How He do dat? :-D Changing the subject a little here;in Luke 13:3 and 5 Jesus said, " but except ye repent ye shall all like wise perish." Was He speaking only to non believers? Or, could He also have been addressing those believers in Matt. 6:14-15 that had (a root of bitterness) unforgiveness, anger, wrath , violence, and even murder in their heart? I submit to you that you can murder someone without taking their physical life. I John 3:15 " Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him." There's a list in Rev.21:8; I don't want to be on . Certainly not over some of the insignificant humbug, that we get all wrapped around the axle about( vague enough for you)? :-D Well, those are some of my thoughts on the subject brother. I can't say that any of them are original. I truly believe that Godly conviction of sin, and repentance are necessary for there to be genuine conversion. But, it's the Holy Spirit's job to do that, not mine;-) Clutch :-P

sermonindex Nov 28, 2003

3.is it effective biblical evangelism? My opinion is: " I Dunno."Yes I think that is what I was trying to get at in my question. I think God uses everything for his glory, even preaching of the gospel by people with wrong motives.Philippians 1:15,18 (kjv) - Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will. What then? notwithstanding every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.1.Let a FEW Christians get TOTALLY right with God.2.Bind themselves together in prayer groups until the power of God falls.3.Put themselves at God's disposal.I really like this quote on revival by R.A. Torrey thanks for sharing.

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almondBranch Nov 28, 2003

1. No mention of Judgement Day2. Not a hint of hell.3. No use of the Law of God to bring the knowledge of personal sin.4. The gospel is held up as a means of happiness, rather than a means of righteousnessI wholeheartedly agree with points 1 and 4, but when I look at the gospel preached in the book of Acts I don't see any real mention of 2 and 3.As I recall hell is never mentioned at all in Acts, but judgment is frequently. I think talk of hell is used in evangelism today in a way that ties it in with point 4. Hell is a bad place in order to be hapy don't go there so get saved But the apostles spoke of the judgment of God which emphasises the fact that you will give an account to a holy God.I find it strange that many are speaking of the law being used to convict of sin. Never is it used in the Acts in that way. Jesus said when the Spirit comes He will convict the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment."the law is our schoolmaster" if taken in context is refering to the order of events in Israel's history; the law, then Christ.

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InTheLight Nov 28, 2003

AlmondBranch wrote: find it strange that many are speaking of the law being used to convict of sin. Never is it used in the Acts in that way. Jesus said when the Spirit comes He will convict the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment. "the law is our schoolmaster" if taken in context is refering to the order of events in Israel's history; the law, then Christ.The moral law shows people their sin and danger (Romans 3:20 & 7:7-9). It strips men of self-righteousness. I believe the Holy Spirit uses the law to convince people they cannot save themselves and therefore they are led to the Lord Jesus Christ. It prepares them to receive the pardon offered in the Lord Jesus alone. As you said, the order is, "first law, then Christ".Jesus certainly used the law to convict men of sin. Read the account of the rich young ruler in Mark 10 (also Matthew and Luke). Perfect obedience to the Law would accomplish justification before God. The same end is now accomplished through faith in the Lord Jesus, the design of both is the same. It seems that people need to be convinced of their sinfulness before they will embrace the mercy of God in Christ. The law is useful as a means for this end (see 1 Timothy 1:8-9).In Christ,Ron

sermonindex Nov 29, 2003

2. Not a hint of hell.2 Peter 2:4 (kjv) - For if God spared no the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgement.It is true to me that the apostles didn't use hell as a way to evangelize the truth to people. But hell has to be mentioned as a truth and the final end in our life if our decision is againt God and his Son Jesus. And even though the word 'hell' was not used I think it was implied much.Acts 2:21 (kjv) - And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.Saved from what? obviously hell! people understood what Peter was saying when he said they needed to be saved.

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almondBranch Nov 29, 2003

Saved from what?"you shall call His name Jesus for He shall save his people from their sins"Yes the end result of sin is eternal speration from God. But Jesus did not come to simply save us from the end product. The axe is laid to the root, Jesus came to save us from sin.