August 18, 2017 - I saw a bumper sticker not too long ago that I thought was kind of humorous that said, "Live your life in such a way that the preacher won't have to lie at your funeral." As I continued down the road I began thinking, there really was some wisdom to that little statement. I began to think; What if we lived our lives everyday in such a way that we would insure that the legacy that we leave with our family and friends would be one that they could and would, want to emulate? How can we insure a legacy of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control?
With what's been going on in our country recently and around the world, it's hard for us to believe that human beings can be capable of true love. We have "prostituted" the true meaning of love. For many, love is equated to sex. For some it has become a verb that we use to describe how much we really care for something ( i.e. "I love chocolate."). But for believers in Christ "love" should take on a much deeper meaning. For a believer in Christ we are commanded to love everyone with an unconditional love.
Now I know that this may come as surprise to some of my friends and fellow Christians, but I will say it again for emphasis, God has commanded us to love everyone. John 13:35 "By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you have love one to another." That's right even those, that we do not agree with or who have opposing views than ours. As a matter of fact in 1John 4:20 the writer delves deeper into what God thinks of Christians who hate, "If anyone says, 'I love God,' but hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not." That's pretty cut and dry.
The only thing that is going to stop this violence and hatred in America and the world is the love of Christ demonstrated by those who call themselves His. Its the only way. We as believers of Christ; that's all races and denominations, must come together to pray for our country and for those who have fallen prey to the hatred that Satan has put in the hearts of those in the world. Its time for us to be "salt and light."
We need to stand up and be "the church." As a pastor I call on all pastors to preach what the word of God says in Ephesians 5:1-2 "Be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Teach your congregations what the Spirit of God is saying in these difficult times.
So the answer to our original question is wrapped up in this verse. We are to be imitators of God. To leave a legacy of love we have to "be" love to those who do not know love. It's like investing money in a bank. The more money you invest the more money you will be able to leave those you love. The same is true with people and love. The more love you invest in their lives, the more love you will leave them when you are gone. The more love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control you invest in life the more you will leave in this world when you are gone. Because just like money it accrues interest and starts to grow itself. That's how legacies are built.
How do you want to be remembered? Do you want to be remembered as the generation who through love out the window? When you die, what do you want your family and friends to look back and gain encouragement from in your life? I would guess that you would want them to remember you in a positive way. You may be feeling that its too late for you to change. Maybe you feel like you have never known love so you can't show that kind of love. Well God loves you so much that He gave his son Jesus for you. Trust Him and allow His spirit to guide you. It will change your life and allow you to leave a legacy of love in this world that will never pass away. Jude 1:21 "keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life."
Im just Sayin
Michael Belgard
