Carman’s Mission 3:16: Understanding God’s Mission and Ours

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16

What does this most famous verse say about God’s mission? And what does it say about ours?

Today, I want to look at a song from none other than Carman—his epic track, Mission 3:16.

Mission 3:16: The Song

If you remember Mission 3:16, it starts out sounding like a movie soundtrack—very Mission Impossible-esque. Then Carman declares:

We can’t contain what’s inside.

Thunder and lightning can’t hide.

Freed from the past, destined to win,

Taking the gospel to where it’s never been.

The energy builds as he continues:

We’re on, we’re on, we’re on a mission,

And we’ll go where the brave dare to fly.

We’re on a mission, and we know it’s a race do or die.

To know Him and make Him known is our creed.

The Fire Be Freed. Mission 3:16.

This is an incredible mission. It is God’s mission. It is a gospel mission. And we carry out the mission and the message of the Savior, as defined for us in John 3:16.

Breaking Down John 3:16

This short verse, which many of us have memorized, is packed with incredible theology. Let’s break it down:

• For God – Salvation begins with God pursuing us. It was His mission, and now we share Him with others.

• So loved – The reason God pursues us is because He loves us. This is God’s underlying motive.

• The world – God’s target is the entire world, and this is our mission too. We are called to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19).

• That He gave – His mission is based on sacrifice. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).

• His one and only Son – Christianity has something no other religion has: grace. Jesus lived the life we couldn’t live, died the death we deserve, and overcame the grave. He is alive! We couldn’t get to God, so He came down to us.

• Whoever believes in Him – This is God’s open invitation. It’s for whoever—no matter your age, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, nationality, sinful past, or broken life. You are included.

• Should not perish – When we receive Jesus, we find forgiveness and escape condemnation (Romans 8:1).

• But have eternal life – This is the goal: a living, vital relationship with Almighty God. Eternal life begins now as Jesus comes to live in us, and it continues forever.

Our Mission

Carman boldly stated: We’re on a mission. Mission 3:16.

How humbling it is that God would use us to love the world and share this message with everyone. This is our mission.

And why are we on this mission? Well, as Carman said in another iconic song, Who’s in the House? J.C.! We need to let the world know about God’s mission to love the world and about His salvation through Jesus Christ.

Want to relive the best of 90s Christian music and theology? Check out our book, Mixtape Theology: 90s Christian Edition.

-Dr. Ashley