"Mission 3:16" (Paul Borthwick)

TITLE: Mission 3:16: God's One-Verse Invitation to Love the World
AUTHOR: Paul Borthwick
PUBLISHER: Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2020, (176 pages).

Sermons have been preached about it. Conferences have been organized to promote it. Books have been written to describe it. Yet, nothing beats a one-verse definition of the mission of Christ. Arguably the most famous verse in the Bible, we are talking about John 3:16 as that one verse definition of God's mission to love the world. It is the gospel wrapped up in one crisp and concise statement. Author Paul Borthwick calls it Jesus' "Elevator Speech." In order to understand that verse in context, he takes us through chapter three of John's gospel, and points us to the larger picture of God's love. There are themes of "born again," "light," "life," "the world," which all are linked together in John 3:16. God is the initiator and motivated by His love for all the world. His love is so deep that He offered the deepest expression of love, his sacrificing his only Son. The beneficiaries are the world at large, that whoever believes in Jesus will not perish but have everlasting life.


Borthwick takes time to expound the verse. In "For God," he focuses on God as the pursuer, the One who searches for us, and wants to rescue us. Like the lost coin, the lost sheep, or the lost son, we needed to be found. "So Loved" details the heart of God for us. Such motivation differentiates Christianity from the other religions of the world. He gives lots of examples of how we can love our neighbours. We love all, not just people we like. Love reaches out far and wide. Like how God loved the world, we are urged to go into the world to serve out the gospel to them. Yet, that remains a challenge, which is one reason why with mass migration, God is bringing people from foreign lands to our shores. The gospel comes to us at a cost: the life of Christ. Those who want to follow Christ will need to know that persecution is common for the faithful. Chapter 5 about sacrifice is perhaps the most convicting chapter of all. Borthwick puts together stories from all over the world to tell us how the mission of Christ must be bigger than any of our earthly sacrifices. In a world that runs and hide for safety, we are called to go forth and shine openly for the gospel. Will we choose our comfortable and safe "bubble?" Or will we choose the conviction to go to places where no one has gone before, to touch the people who have never heard of the gospel? On the giving of God's Son, the author reminds us that the gospel is entered on one person for salvation: Jesus Christ. No other religion teaches this. On and on, Borthwick lets his heart for mission infects us. He challenges us on many fronts. Though the subtitle of the book indicates "invitation," inside the book is a collection of challenges for us to take mission more seriously.

We are challenged not only to memorize John 3:16 but to read through the whole chapter. Like Jesus' challenge to Nicodemus to be born again, we are asked to reflect on our own conversion narrative and how we can be ambassadors for Christ. We need to move beyond theories about love toward practice of love. Borthwick challenges us to know more about the world outside our comfortable spheres of life. On sacrifice, he asks us to think outside the box to include the sacrifices of time, money, dreams, even relationships. How can we honour Christ more? How do we be more intentional about inviting people into our lives? How real is hell and judgment? Living a life in Christ cannot be separated from the mission of God.

Like any Missions professor, Borthwick's final chapter is essentially a challenge for us to live beyond ourselves. How do we be always on mission? He shows us some biblical passages. The apostle Paul challenges Timothy to be prepared in season and out of season. The apostle Peter tells us to always be ready to share with others the hope we have in Jesus. Borthwick challenges us to be available 24-7 to speak of the gospel. In fact, this book is essentially equipping us to do just that.

For anyone interested in missions, this book is good primer to get started. For those who are still ambivalent about missions, perhaps, Borthwick will move you over the line from passive to active proponents of the gospel. Read this book. It is that good!

Paul Borthwick (DMin, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) is senior consultant for Development Associates International and previously taught global Christianity at Gordon College for thirty years. Through his speaking, writing, and resource ministry, Borthwick works to mobilize others to participate in world missions.

Rating: 4.5 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book has been provided courtesy of InterVarsity Press and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.