How can Christians build a legacy that honors God? | Biblical Teachings on Faith and Influence

Video from Straight Truth Podcast

How can Christians build a legacy that honors God? | Biblical Teachings on Faith and Influence

"People often talk about leaving a legacy behind when they pass away. We may read and talk about those from the past who've left a lasting impression or impact on their generation. We may even know someone whose life has had this effect on our own lives. How should Christians think about the concept of legacy? Does the Bible have anything to say about believers leaving a legacy? What about the church? Should individual churches seek to leave behind a legacy? Join us this week on the Straight Truth Podcast as Dr. Josh Philpot asks Dr. Richard Caldwell to help us think through the concept of legacy and what kind of legacy we should be concerned with that would honor the Lord.

Dr. Caldwell says that talking about legacy means we are mindful of the future of those following us and wanting to leave them something that would be helpful when we’re gone. He says there are examples of this throughout the Scriptures. One he shares is from Proverbs 13:22, which says, “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous.” He explains that God’s blessing on godly people is that even the way He has blessed them follows in future generations where sinners end up with nothing. This is what this verse sort of describes, but it also indicates that this is what man ought to be mindful of. Dr. Caldwell says we see this, whether it’s about teaching our children the truths of the Scriptures or the kind of legacies set before us in Hebrews 11. An example of parents with their children is when we read of Paul celebrating with Timothy over the fact that his faith was first seen in his mother and grandmother and how they influenced his life. God sets these examples before us in His Word because they're meant to instruct, encourage, and fortify us in the things we are to live in today. It's in that way believers want to leave a legacy. We should desire and want to leave behind us for the following generations an example that’s instructive, exhortative, and strengthens those who follow us in their faith in Christ.

We should not be concerned about the kind of worldly legacy that would come to mind of people who did great things, such as those who have achieved high political positions, won great battles, developed scientific breakthroughs, or received prestigious awards. That is not what we should be aiming for from the biblical standpoint. Our ambitions should be that Christ would be honored by our living and in our dying. We don’t aim to build up our name and monuments for ourselves, but we aim to build up Christ and His name. We exist for the glory of God. Therefore, our ambition as believers is to please and glorify the Lord. His name is what we want to leave behind for those who follow us. Our aim is for our feet to remain on the pathway of faith. We want those who follow our lives to realize how kind and gracious the Lord has been to save a sinner like us and that the same hope exists for them. That’s the kind of legacy we want to leave behind.

So then, we need to be mindful that people are following us, people are watching and learning from us. We need to think about them walking in our footsteps and where it would lead them, and that has to do with our daily decisions. If they were to walk this path of ours at any given time, would we be pleased with that? Are we currently making decisions that would not be good for our well-being, but for the well-being of those who might follow us one day? That’s a good conscience examination when it comes to our behaviors and choices.

It's a sobering thought about leaving behind a godly reputation to those who would follow after us. Dr. Caldwell shares something he’s heard and repeated often – the greatest gift we could ever give to people who love us is to live our lives in such a way that when we die, no one wonders where we are. We want to pursue Christ to the degree that no one will ever wonder after we've passed away whether our faith in Christ was genuine or not. It’s not the chief reason we do this, but it’s a great gift to leave someone where they are left with no doubt. That also is part of a godly legacy." from the video introduction

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