Legacy

Psalm 78:4 “We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders”

Last week I asked my daughter, “When I die and someone asks you what you will remember most about me, what will you say?”  Her response was underwhelming.  She said that I wasn't dead yet and she hadn't thought about it.  While I was sort of teasing her at that moment, I began to think about what I wanted her to be able to say.  My children are definitely not receiving much of an inheritance from this world’s perspective. I have nothing of monetary value to leave.  However, I pray that my life and faith leave a godly inheritance (legacy) that will influence every decision they make in this life. 

Whether you have children or not, you can still leave a legacy for those who come after you.  Our lives are to be lived for Christ.  We are to share what we have been given with those around us.  Matthew 10:8 “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!” Every one of us has a circle of influence in which we can minister.  We all have family, friends, co-workers, children, or neighbors with whom we share our lives. 

Deuteronomy 6:5-7 “And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.”

We see in Deuteronomy that we are to talk about the Lord at every time of day.  This doesn’t mean we need to be weird and only talk about God to the exclusion of all else.  It does mean, however, that our conversation is to be tempered by the Spirit and sprinkled with the Word.  As believers, we have the answer to every problem that arises. 

I once heard a story about a little girl.  She was sitting in the classroom at school and her teacher asked her what 2 + 2 was.  She smiled broadly and announced “Jesus!”  The teacher look puzzled and asked her what 1 + 1 was.  Again, she smile and announced “Jesus!”  The teacher then informed her that 2 + 2 was 4 and 1 + 1 was 2.  The little girl politely told her teacher that she knew that.  Again the teacher looked puzzled.  Why then, she asked, did the little girl answer “Jesus” both times?  The little girl said, “Well, my Sunday school teacher says Jesus is the answer to everything.”

The story is cute and even makes me chuckle, however, the truth it conveys is significant.  Jesus is the answer to everything! 

The Word commands us to share the Answer to the questions of life with everyone God places in our path. 

      A.      To win the lost: Matthew 28:16-20 “Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted! Jesus came and told his disciples, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’”

      B.      To teach and instruct: 2 Timothy 2:2 “You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.”

      C.      To correct, rebuke and encourage: 2 Timothy 4:1-4 “I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom: Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.”

      D.      To remind those who already know: 2 Peter 1:12-15 “Therefore, I will always remind you about these things—even though you already know them and are standing firm in the truth you have been taught. And it is only right that I should keep on reminding you as long as I live. For our Lord Jesus Christ has shown me that I must soon leave this earthly life, so I will work hard to make sure you always remember these things after I am gone.”

      E.       To build our faith and the faith of others: Joshua 4:21-22, Then Joshua said to the Israelites, “In the future your children will ask, ‘What do these stones mean?’ Then you can tell them, ‘This is where the Israelites crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’

When I die, I pray my children and friends will say that I talked about Christ, invested in prayer for them and others, lived a life that exemplified Christ-likeness, I loved God first, my family second, and others next. 

When I am gone, the only thing that matters is the legacy I leave behind.  Are others closer to Christ because of my life?  How about you? What kind of legacy do you want to leave when you are gone?

All Scripture is NLT unless otherwise stated.