All this I have done for you--do you love Me?

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("Every Day!" Author unknown, 1872)

"F or when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. " Romans 5:6-8

Does not Jesus in thus appealing to me, in effect say:

"For you, I left the realms of glory, and the adoration of ten thousand times ten thousand holy ones!

  For you, I became incarnate, took on the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.

    For you, I obeyed the law, and wrought a perfect righteousness for your justification.

      For you, I endured the cross, and despised the shame.

        For you, I gave My back to the smiters, and My cheeks to those who plucked off the hair.

          For you, I endured the crown of thorns, and gave My hands and My feet to be nailed to the tree.

             For you, I shed My blood, and laid down My life!

           I loved you with a love of pity and compassion--when you were dead in trespasses and sins!

        I opened your eyes, revealed to you your sinfulness and guilt, and awakened your cry for mercy.

      I sought you in your wanderings--and found you!

   I brought you up out of the horrible pit, and miry clay--and set your feet upon the rock.

 I have loved you with an everlasting love--and therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn you!

 All this I have done for you--do you love Me?"

"We love Him, because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19

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