Legacy

Sometimes I worry about what people say about me. Do you? But what concerns me most is what will be said about me when it’s all said and done. When I am no longer here. Will I have left a mark? Will they talk about what a great husband and father I was? Will they mention the songs I’ve written? Will I have allowed my words and actions to point others to Christ? Will they say I stood unashamed of my faith? Will I have left a legacy?

Billy Graham said, “The greatest inheritance you can pass on to your children and grandchildren is more than the money or material possessions you get. It’s a legacy of both character and faith.”

So, how can we live our lives in a way that will leave a legacy of faith? First, be informed. Know what you are up against. Ephesians 6:12 tells us that we are in a spiritual battle. It says, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm.”

The second way is to dress for battle. We can’t fight spiritual battles on our own. God has supplied armor for the battle. Ephesians 6:11-17 describes what is available to us, “the helmet of salvation, breastplate of righteousness, shield of faith, sword of the Spirit, belt of truth and your feet prepared with the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”

If we suit up and do all we can to stand unashamed, our legacy will be like Paul’s when he said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7-8).” We won’t have to worry about what will be said of us. We’ll leave a legacy of faith that will affect generations to come.

Do Something

1. Read Ephesians 6:11-17 again.
2. How does it make you feel to know that God has supplied armor for the battle?
3. Ask God to help you live unashamed of your faith.