John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

John 3:16 has been quoted so much that even the skeptics, atheists, and non-Christian believers all know what it says. This verse has been lost in the light of that bright shining star. It does however carry with it an important message if we are to just listen to it on its own merit.

Read “the world” as everyone. For God sent not his Son to condemn everyone; but that everyone through him might be saved. That is an inclusive statement. It does not target any one group, we are all included.

Because I live in a capitalist country, I see commercials in use everywhere. Commercials target likely buyers. Focus groups identify likely buyers for a product and write their advertising to attract the interests of that target audience. It is a good business model to allocate advertising budgets so that you get the most return on investment.

I also live in the Kingdom of God. My target audience is everyone. I don’t get to look at people and say it is not worth my time to invest in this person. My call is to scatter the seed everywhere without regard as to where the seed falls. I don’t get the luxury of saving my efforts for a target audience because God’s word is not exclusive, it is inclusive.

Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

The law judges and I am no longer sold under the law, I am free to love all equally, that all might get to hear the truth, that Christ died for everyone.

Love your neighbor, Christ does.

John 21:21-22 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

We who write like to think that our words inspire others. We search for the right words to relate to our audience with all good intention. Some are very persuasive with stir up deep emotions and people respond positively to what they write.

Over the years I have witnessed various tactics used to move people to act. Some are inspired and sadly some are manipulative. Guilt has always been a part of Christian life but it isn’t to be used to cause people to act. I will admit there is room for service in all churches. No one person should be burdened with role of being a lone server in any ministry. But guilt is the wrong motive for service.

Peter’s words make me wonder what was going on in his heart and what might have caused him to ask “Well what about John? You are asking me to do all this but you have asked John to be your mother’s son.” Granted I am making up a conversation that did not exist except in my mind, but in my mind I see how I might act. That is relating to the story telling.

Put yourself in Peter’s shoes. How would you respond to be given a great responsibility? Would you respond like Moses, “I am not worthy.” Would you respond like Gideon, “I am not able.” Would you respond like Isaiah, “I will.”

In that same way when a brother or sister in the Lord makes a comment can you put yourself in their shoes? The most difficult one for me is “I wish I had your faith.” I hate it when people look at what I do and think less of themselves. I do not want that for them. There is no good answer that I have found. “Just do as the Lord asks, it is all any of us can do.”

“But Jesus hasn’t asked me to do anything.”

Yes, that was what Peter thought about John but 70 years later John wrote the Gospel of John, 3 epistles and the book of Revelations.