Our Legacy

Dr. Mike Murphy

What do you see as your legacy? What have you left for those you know and love to remember you by? Have you amassed wealth, monetary funds that will leave your loved ones far better off financially than you were? Have you left a business, one that will continue to be at the heart of your community long after you are gone? Have you left great writings, words that will keep your name on the tongue of others long after your bones turn to ashes? What do you see as your legacy?

Most look at their legacy and can only envision it within the confines of this world. But when we look at what we are leaving to those around us in this world, should not we look at our legacy with eyes that are far more eternal? With eyes that are not just limited by what we see in this world, but with eyes of what the next world might show us? Should we just look on legacy with what this world will show us, or through the vision that the Holy Spirit has brought us?

In a series of verses that countless pastors have used to teaches us many things, I believe that Christ also taught us exactly what our vision of a legacy should be. In the Parable of the Talents(Matthew 25:14-30), the Lord tells the story of two faithful servants who took what their master had given them, and used what was given to increase the wealth of their master. As the master returned from a long trip, he rewarded the two faithful servants. And as he did, Christ tells us that the master spoke a series of familiar words to each. “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”(Matthew 25:21, 23). In that reply, we hear six words that best describe what our legacy should be, six words that each of our legacies should be molded after. “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Each word of God’s Word teaches us that we are saved by grace through our faith in Christ(Ephesians 2:8-9). But because of our faith, we are saved to do good works, and to make the most of what our Master gives us(Ephesians 2:10). For us to build a true legacy, and to hear those six words that should best describe our legacy, we must first be saved. The unbeliever can and will never hear those six words, because without faith, it is impossible for us to ever please God(Hebrew 11:6). It is only when we make Christ our Savior that our legacy can truly begin.

And as we make Him our Savior, our legacy soon becomes defined. The details of our legacy is found in one word, serve. It is through our service to Him that our legacy is written, and how we serve Him with our time in this world, our legacy will be remembered. With each moment of gladness that we serve Him(Psalm 100:2), another line in our legacy is written for all the world to see and remember.

The first words of our legacy start with our acceptance of Christ, but the text of our legacy is written in the call Christ left us with. In the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), Christ lays out for us what the outline of our legacy should be. We are to “go, make, teach”, to share the good news of His Word with all the world around us. To not only tell everyone about His Word, but to teach others the character and nature of the Lord we gratefully serve. We are not only to be disciples, we are to help make others disciples also, so the purpose and meaning of His life, death and resurrection can be known this world over.

Christ gives to us the authority to go out and change this world in His name(Matthew 16:19). But that authority does not give us a title of power, but a position of opportunity. An opportunity for others to see in us the peace, the comfort, and the security that comes to us through our service to Him. Each day of that service shows us that our legacy is not written in titles, but in those opportunities. And the world sees in us that being “Christ-like” is far more that just a title, but is at the heart of our legacy.

We must never forget, our legacy might be written with our own pen, but it is composed with His Words. The blessings, the moments of our life that mark and defines us, does not come from our own hands, but by His hands. God’s Word tells us, “every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights.”(James 1:17). At the end of the day, our legacy must best be described as loving God with all we have, and loving others as He has loved us.

God’s Word teaches us, a reputation and a legend may be created in a moment, but a legacy can only be built through a lifetime in Christ. This world might tell us that we need to live to be a legend, but the Holy Spirit shows us that we should live to leave a legacy. As the Apostle Paul contemplated what the end of his life would bring, he made three very simple, but telling, statements about his own legacy. Paul told us that he had fought the good fight. That he had finished the race. And he told us he had keep the faith. In each of these words, Paul allowed the Lord to define his legacy. Because in each of his statements, Paul showed how he had faithfully served his Master. And in each of these words, Paul left a true legacy.

When my days are over, and each word of my legacy is written, I hope that when anyone thinks of me they will only remember my life by one word. Servant. That my legacy is remembered as one who served our Master faithfully. Who took each of the talents He entrusted in my hands, and gave them back to Him two-fold. Who realized that his job was not to stand in the spotlight, but to be the one who happily made sure that spotlight was always shining on the One it was meant to shine on.

I pray as my days on this earth end, that the words of my legacy are not written by me, but simply copied and pasted from His Word. That my life was not defined by me, but by Him. That on a future day when someone might think of me, they immediately picture in their mind a servant. One who served his Master with passion, faithfully making the most out of each opportunity that was entrusted to him each day. That I will not be remembered by a simple Google search, or by the words that might appear on my tombstone, but by the six words I long to hear Him speak to me, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”. It is in those six words that I pray each day my legacy is being written.