Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – March 6, 2017
We constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
What does it mean to leave a legacy for Christ? It is not necessarily the length of our life that determines our legacy, it is more the length of the shadow of our influence that defines what legacy we leave behind. So if my being is branded by love for God and people, then I am positioned to build my life on an enduring platform with eternal significance. Leaving a legacy for Christ is about first becoming a contented child of God, growing into a faithful friend of God, to a diligent seeker of God’s heart, and in time, an intimate lover who enjoys oneness with God.
A Contented Child of God
“And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him” (Luke 2:40).
At salvation we embrace a childlike faith of 100% trust and dependence on Jesus Christ. As we grow and become spiritually strong we grow in grace and wisdom while maintaining a simple childlike belief that God is good, sin is bad, heaven is glorious and hell is notorious. We put away childish attitudes of disobedience, dishonesty and disrespect, while replacing them with faithfulness, truthfulness and honor for others. Leaving a legacy for Christ celebrates the joy of salvation, is grateful for God’s work of grace, and leans into the love of our heavenly Father.
A Faithful Friend of God
“Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, and he was called God’s friend” (James 2:23).
Friendship with God is a lifetime journey full of adventure, sorrow, success, failure and tests of faith. God is a forever friend, who longs to draw us close to His heart. The Lord looks for companionship with those with whom He can commune, confide and confer the riches of His wisdom. Jesus is a friend who sticks closer than a brother, warns against foolish endeavors, walks hand in hand through the valley of the shadow of death, comforts pain, heals hurt and defeats the devil. God has the back of His faithful friends—He rewards faithfulness. Leaving a legacy for Christ learns the lessons of loyal friendship with God during good times.
A Seeker of God’s Heart
“I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do” (Acts 13:22).
The pursuit of God should never plateau, only progress in its passionate desire to know God and be known by Him. We typically become what we pursue with earnest. So to be in constant pursuit of the Lord is to become more and more like the Lord: to love more extravagantly, to bear more burdens with patient forbearance, to extend kindness that leads to repentance, to forgive liberally and to give generously. Godly pursuits require intentional prayer, relational investment, financial support and emotional engagement. Far beyond Sunday church attendance, we become consumed with prayer without ceasing so we can discern God’s best while caring for the least of these. We leave a legacy for Christ when we follow hard after God—we persevere through hard times and seek to comfort others with the comfort we have received.
An Intimate Lover of God
“And Mary said, ‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name’” (Luke 1:46-49).
Our Creator, Almighty God—reached down into our humble state and chose to initiate a relationship with us, His servants—the pinnacle of His creation. We are only able to love deeply, because we are loved deeply by Him. Like Mary who experienced the unimaginable—the Holy Spirit desires to conceive in us a heart of pure love. And the deeper our love for God the more we truly love well what He loves: people, His Word, prayer, the gospel, His bride the church, our enemies and our joyful obedience. We leave a legacy for Christ when we prove our love by keeping His commands and loving those deserving and undeserving of our love. Love is utmost to God!
“I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints” (Philemon 1:4-7).
Prayer
Dear Lord, give me the courage and grace to leave a legacy of faithfulness to You.Application
Write out what you would like your parents, spouse, children and friends to say at your funeral.Related Reading
Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Proverbs 13:22, 22:7; 1 Timothy 6:6-12Post/Tweet today
It is not necessarily the length of our life that determines our legacy, it is more the length of the shadow of our influence that defines what legacy we leave behind. #WisdomHunters #legacyforChristWorship Resource
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