not a toothbrush

today in bible class we were talking about salvation. so often it is portrayed as a general gift to everyone. jesus came to save the whole world. everyone can be saved. yet, what about a personal relationship with jesus?

tom johnson is absolutely one of my favorite profs. today he explained it as a huge christmas tree. underneath are an abundance of gifts. but each one is specific to one person. it has a name tag with my name on it. not just a generic gift "from santa" but a specially selected gift from jesus to me. he has a specially crafted plan for my life, so much better than anything i could ever think of for myself. while these gifts of salvation are available to each person, they by no means look the same for anyone. jesus is so much bigger than that! he was willing to purchase these amazing gifts himself, going shopping with his own blood to pay for the best that he could bestow on us.

he came so that we could have life and have it more abundantly! why don't i live like this? i don't think i often apply this truth. i just act like i was given a gift that is available to everyone. like a free toothbrush or something insignificant. thanks jesus for this toothbrush salvation. what is wrong with me? i should be shouting from the roof-tops that jesus transformed my life. he gave me the best gift i've ever been given, offering payment with the most valuable thing imaginable. this gift was crafted especially for me, so that i could live. not merely exist, but live an abundant life. he didn't give me a toothbrush! he draped a royal robe around my trembling shoulders. he placed jewels on my hands. he gave me riches more than i could imagine or ever deserve. i am almost ashamed of my warped view of salvation! how easily the truth can be twisted.

jesus, i so often take my salvation, the greatest gift i could ever receive and have ever received for granted. help my faith to be real. when i say thank you, i want to mean it. i don't want my prayers to just be repetitions of what i've heard others say or what i think i should say. i want my words to express how grateful i truly i am for your presence in my life.