Years ago, during a lectureship, I heard Dan Winkler respond to a comment about his father’s faithfulness and the great shadow that he left. He said, and I paraphrase, better a reputation to live up to, than one to live down. When we pass from this life we will leave everything behind, including our legacy. The word “legacy” is defined as anything handed down from the past, as from an ancestor or predecessor (Dictionary.com). The apostle Paul left a legacy of steadfastness. We can look back on his life and say he “kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). Noah left a legacy of obedience, showing us what it means to do exactly what God wants (Genesis 6:9). In the book of Hebrews is recorded the legacies of men and women who exemplified great faith (Cf. Hebrews 11). Space and time will not allow us to elaborate on the host of men and women in the Bible who are great examples of godliness. Do you know that you are currently building a legacy for yourself? For what will you be remembered when this life is over? Will you be remembered as a godly father, mother or spouse? Will your grandchildren talk about your reputation as a faithful Christian? Will your neighbors, friends, and colleagues remember you as a person who loved the Lord? Will your local congregation speak of your faith for years to come? Or, will you go into obscurity never having done anything worthy of emulation? Will your reputation be one that your family has to live down? At your memorial will people say, “I never knew he/she was religious?” Will your children look back and say, “my mom/dad use to be faithful?” I hope and pray the latter is not the case. However, for that to happen, we must think about our current actions. We must examine our lives in light of Scripture (2 Corinthians 13:5) and make sure that we are walking faithfully. Many in the world desire to be remembered for something great, as Christians we should strive to be remembered for something godly.
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