Is your legacy eternal?

Thirty years ago, I had the opportunity to pay tribute to the most influential man in my life. One of the things I shared was that in the way he lived his life, Monday through Saturday were no different than Sunday. His Christlike behavior was not relegated to Sunday, it was lived out each day of his life. Whether he was teaching, coaching, officiating, negotiating, serving in the church, or driving a truck (his summer job), it was evident that his priority in life was to bring honor to the name of Jesus Christ. The pastor that spoke at his funeral credited him as one of the three most influential men in his life. As a young boy, I was blessed to be in the next room while he shared the Gospel at our kitchen table with a young man that he had coached in high school, and led him in the prayer of salvation. If you were to get up very early in the morning at our house and look down the hallway, you would see the light on in his study. If you looked in, you would see him either in his chair reading and marking-up his Bible, or kneeling in front of his chair praying. I cherish three of those marked-up Bibles.

Last week, I had the opportunity to pay tribute to the most influential woman in my life. She taught me how to love and serve others. Her life was dedicated to serving others. Whether she was being a Mom, investing in the lives of her grandchildren, making meals for what seemed like most everyone, working the clothing ministry at church, teaching Sunday school, serving on the mission committee, selling World Book with great success, baking copious amounts of cookies (most times used to initiate meaningful conversations with guests in her home), and just being there for people in their time of need, it was evident that her priority in life was to bring honor to the name of Jesus Christ.

The greatest gift that my parents gave to our family, in both the words they spoke and the lives they lived, was to teach us how to love Jesus well.

What does it mean to love Jesus well?
Mom provided the "CliffsNotes" version when she was asked her secret to a successful life and answered, "be nice and always tell the truth."

Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God has forgiven you because you belong to Christ. - Ephesians 4:32 (Living Bible)

Stop lying to each other; tell the truth, for we are parts of each other and when we lie to each other we are hurting ourselves. - Ephesians 4:25 (Living Bible)

However, we cannot love Jesus well if we do not know Him. Not know "of Him" or "about Him", but to know Him as your personal Savior and being transformed into the likeness of His image by the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me. - John 14:6 (NASB)

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NASB)

Dad would select a verse each year to memorize and apply to his life throughout that year. The following was the last verse he selected...

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. - Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

Mom requested Proverbs 31 to be read at her funeral. This verse epitomizes her life...

Charm can be deceptive and beauty doesn’t last, but a woman who fears and reverences God shall be greatly praised. Praise her for the many fine things she does. These good deeds of hers shall bring her honor and recognition from people of importance. - Proverbs 31:30 (Living Bible)

The praise and success she labored to bring to her family and community will be her praise. The result of her efforts is her best eulogy. - John MacArthur

What will it be like when my pain is gone
And all the worries of this world just fade away?
What will it be like when You call my name
And that moment when I see You face to face?
I'm waiting my whole life to hear You say

What will it be like when tears are washed away
And every broken thing will finally be made whole?
What will it be like when I come into Your glory
Standing in the presence of a love so beautiful?
I'm waiting my whole life for that day
I will live my life to hear You say

What will it be like when I hear that sound?
All of heaven's angels crying out
Singing holy, holy, holy are You, Lord
Waiting my whole life for that day
Until then, I'll live to hear You say

Well done, well done
My good and faithful one
Welcome to the place where you belong
Well done, well done
My beloved child
You have run the race and now you're home
Welcome to the place where you belong
Well done - Jason Ingram

Is your legacy eternal?

Be Encouraged to love Jesus well.