Every religion of the world except Christianity bases its offer of salvation on good works. The Bible, God’s Word, presents a radically different kind of salvation. Peace with God and eternal salvation come to the believer as a gift.

Many professing Christians don’t grasp this difference well enough to explain it to others. One way to help people understand this difference is through three equations. I have used this on numerous occasions. It is a plain way of presenting the gospel that anyone can learn.

Let’s say you have been discussing the topic of religion with your coworker George or Georgia. You have asked them to share with you their grounds for their hope for salvation, and it comes out something like this: “Well, I’m not a really bad person and I try to do what’s right.” It is then you may respond by saying, “Have you ever considered what the Bible says about that? Would you let me share with you three equations I heard about that really ...