Our Legacy
- His Servant - Rob McKee
- Jun 22, 2020
- 9 min read
The world talks a lot about legacy these days. One question that is often asked is “what do you want to be known for?” Another is, “what will your legacy be? The choice is yours.” Why do you suppose people are concerned about these things?
No doubt that one reason to be concerned is that we all will be known for something, whether we like it or not! That said, wouldn’t it make sense that a person might want to make a conscious effort to write their history in a way that others will remember them for what really matters to them in this life?
Through the eyes of Christ, I can see two sides to these ideas. Bear in mind:
Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Definition of “legacy”
1 : a gift by will especially of money or other personal property
2 : something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past
Anything handed down from the past, as from an ancestor or predecessor
By this we see that the memory of a person’s past is one of the things that they can leave for their predecessors. More than this, though: this memory of the things that we believed in, and the way that we do things can be “handed down” to influence the beliefs and behavior of others!
Here are some other traits said to be about “legacy” that I gathered from Jamison Coe on youtube.com: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s77YHCWIfPc
· Legacies are found while taking risks, in the light of hope
· Legacies extend beyond the boundaries of time (our life on earth)
· Legacies have the power to lead others
We create our legacy through the life that we live while on this earth. So, what do you want to be known for? Be careful there! Dangerous stuff here! Here is an account of someone that wants to be known for something…
Isaiah 14:12-15 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
What do you want to be known for?
If we are true followers of Christ, what is it really that we would desire to be known for on this earth? What did Jesus want to be known for?
Philippians 2:5-8 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Doesn’t sound like our Lord, even though He is worthy of all praise, honor, and glory, tried to make any reputation for himself as He walked this earth? In fact, many places in the bible record Him asking people whom He had healed to not mention Him or what He had done for them to others.
Matthew 8:3-4 And Jesus put forth His hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
What about us then?
Colossians 3:1-4 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.
So, why do we see so many in the world trying to ‘capitalize’ on their testimony to gain earthly things? Reputations? Power in this world? Who will they impress? What kind of memory or “legacy” will be seen by others that they leave behind in this world?
1 Corinthians 15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
Matthew 6:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
What was Enoch’s legacy?
Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
One thing is for sure:
1 Corinthians 8:3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
Talk about the impact of legacy!
John 8:38-39 (Jesus speaking here) I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. They (the Pharisees) answered and said unto Him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
The Body of Christ
Just remember that once we truly give our life to The Lord, it is not ours any longer, but we are His…
1 Corinthians 7:23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Not only do we no longer belong to ourselves, we now belong to The Church; a body of believers.
Romans 12:3-5 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
Romans 12:10-18 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Does not sound like serving Christ Jesus leaves much room for us to build a reputation or legacy for ourselves, huh? No worries though, we are MUCH better off to be part of His glorious body, than to have pride in our own will, like satan does.
Who cares who has the most in this world? Who cares who is the prettiest? Why worry about being the smartest or the most capable at anything? Rather, build up the body of Christ!
Do you have a lot of things? Are you capable?
Romans 15:1-7 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
What is Our Legacy?
What was the ultimate example that Jesus, Our Lord, left us?
John 15:10-14 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in His love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
1 John 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
Our Legacy is Christ’s Legacy.
1 Corinthians 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
How are we joined to His body?
John 6:48-51 I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
John 6:56-58 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.
Ephesians 4:11-13 And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.
Hebrews 1:1-2 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds
Here’s is the most important, and only legacy that really matters, or that can yield anything of real value; beyond this lifetime:
The New Testament
A “legacy” is something that is left, or “willed” to a person when someone leaves this earth – like a “will and testament”! I am referring to God’s Will left to us by Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in His New Testament Covenant made with mankind. This is the true Legacy of Christ!!!
Luke 4:4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
People say, “if you are not making progress, you are going backwards.” Not sure about that one but… Albert Einstein was once quoted as saying, “Once you stop learning, you start dying.” Did he have something there? Well, I find this thought especially true when it comes to God’s Word. Let’s get full of it! Don’t stop learning and never give up!
1 Peter 5:6-11 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 6:10-11 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
-That is the legacy and will that Jesus Christ left for us in His example to learn from and instruct us. We can find this legacy in The Word of God.
Ephesians 6:23-24 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
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