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Read: John 21: 15-19
It started out as a normal visit to the
dealership. My car would be prepared for winter. I took a book along for
reading while I waited. However, I also seek to pray for those whom I meet, including
those with whom I might contact at the dealership. After reading for a few moments,
I stood up and walked around to look at show room cars and talk to a sales
person.
While doing this, I saw a couple looking at
the newest version of my car. I wandered over to greet them and offer my
opinion on this model. They wanted a new car and were open to someone like me
who could “witness” to the advantages of this model of car. Since I have
experienced this car for while now, I shared the advantages of the car with
enthusiasm. By the time I left them, they were more interested in this specific
model. I walked back to pick up my car
and told them that I believed another car had been sold. On the way out, I
noticed the couple in a meeting with the sales person. They pointed to me and
said: “He should get a commission for our car.” I said: “Thanks, but give it to the sales
person!”
When I got home, I realized that they only
charged me half of the costs. After my return call saying that I needed to pay
the full amount, they refused my offer to pay the full amount and then sent a
card saying thanks for honesty and for being a good customer and friend.
The reason I share this is only to urge you
to consider a couple of conditions for a sale. One is personal satisfactory
experience with the product and secondly, sharing that experience with sincere
enthusiasm. This extends to the
spiritual context. The only way that I can effectively and consistently promote
and witness of the Lord Jesus is by experiencing Him daily in my heart and
life. The peace and joy of my personal relationship with Christ will always
motivate me to share Him with enthusiasm and sincerity. In the spiritual area,
they are selling conditions!
In John 21, 15-19, Jesus probes the heart
of Peter with the question: “Do you love me?”
Jesus used a word that means sacrificial
love or total devotion but Peter responds with a word that meant love but not
in a complete sense. It was more like family love. Jesus persisted with Peter
until he got the message. His love need to be the deepest most sacrificial kind
of love that leaves no room for any rival. It is the kind of love that sent
Jesus to the cross. It is the kind of love that makes a spiritual “sale” – that
which effectively and irreversibly convinces spiritual lost people to
passionately and permanently follow Jesus.
Reflect: Peter needed agape love to serve Jesus in
this world (John 21:17).
Think about and list specific ways that you can turn your relationship to Jesus
from “good” to the great love that truly pleases Him and brings lasting
results!
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