HOW MUCH DO WE LOVE OUR SALVATION ?

Do we LOVE our GIFT of SALVATION, like a child that receives a much wanted toy
for Christmas?  A toy, that in his or her child thinking, felt they just couldn't live
without?  Like an electric train or a special doll that was advertised on television?
As adults, do we have that sense of child-like joy upon receiving the GIFT of
SALVATION ?  Is that what CHRIST is looking for in us as an appreciation of HIS
LOVE for us?  Do we LOVE our GIFT?  Or do we LOVE the GIVER of the GIFT more
than the GIFT itself? Do we recognize the LOVE HE has for us in order to give us this GIFT at the COST IF HIS OWN LIFE? Would an earthly father do that for each
of his children?  The "pain" of the CROSS was Real and not abated supernaturally.
It wouldn't have counted if HE had not suffered it as a natural man. For the KING of
the Universe to lower HIMSELF to that degree, must have been motivated by a very
Powerful LOVE indeed.  It is that LOVE that is the TRUE GIFT !   It is the PERSON
that demonstrated that LOVE we MUST COME TO KNOW and LOVE BACK as HE
LOVES US.  IT IS THE GIVER OF THE GIFT, NOT THE GIFT, IN AND OF ITSELF HE
WANTS US TO LOVE.  Do we?  Do we want to get to KNOW this KING that would
do such a thing for HIS subjects so they could be with HIM in HIS Kingdom? Do we
cherish the GIFT yet keep the GIVER as an obscure entity we worship from afar?
Is that why HE did it?  I think not !  HE wants us to come to LOVE HIM on a
Personal Basis, because HE KNEW ALL OF OUR NAMES WHILE HANGING ON THAT CROSS !    Seems hard to believe doesn't it?  But it's TRUE !  HE DID !
And HE was willing to go through with it for our sake.  Pretty amazing !   We owe
HIM anything HE ASKS FOR !   HE ASKS US TO LOVE HIM and OBEY HIM and DO
WHAT EVER HE ASKS US TO DO.  How do we do what HE ASKS?  We LISTEN TO
HIM ! !    If we don't HEAR HIS VOICE,......how can we do that?
          LOVE HIM WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND SOUL and ASK HIM TO SPEAK
          TO YOU SO YOU CAN DO WHAT HE ASKS OF YOU AND COME TO LOVE
          HIM MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE INTHE WORLD.....it's only right to do so.
           And when we come to LOVE....AND OBEY...HE gives us the Salvation CONFIRMING
           GIFT of AGAPE LOVE....which is HIS WAY of  TAKING UP RESIDENCE IN OUR
            NEW HEARTS...which HE WILL NEVER LEAVE....NOT EVER !

                           MARANATHA !

                                    TH