Peter's story...

Past sin and failure is real

Simon Peter asked him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus replied, "Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later." Peter asked, "Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you." Then Jesus answered, "Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!"
John 13:36-38 – see John 18:15-27

In Jesus, you are no longer a slave to your sin (your past)

For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin--because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.
Romans 6:6-12

The Barbarian Way: You are free!

Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours.
2 Peter 1:1

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God.
Romans 1:1

The comparison game in life: "What about him?"

When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?" Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me."
John 21:21-22

The call to barbarians: "Follow me!"

"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me."
John 10:27

"Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me."
John 12:26

Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me."
John 21:22