Legacy of Love

"If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels,

but didn't love others,

I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

if I had the gift of prophecy,

and if I understood all of God's secret plans

and possessed all knowledge,

and if I had such faith that I could move mountains,

but didn't love others,

I would be nothing.

If I gave everything I have to the poor

and even sacrificed my body,

I could boast about it;

but if I didn't love others,

I would have gained nothing."

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 NLT

How will I be remembered when I'm gone?  Will people remember the deep thoughts I shared, the times when I gave generously or the words I wrote?  When I am gone will my legacy point to me, or point to the God who loved me enough to send His Son to redeem me from the pit of death where my sins condemned me?

David Phelps, a tenor with the Gaither Vocal Band, performs a powerful song about the kind of legacy for which Jesus was known and to which I am called as His follower.  It is not a legacy of great works, mighty power and amazing accomplishments.  Instead, you and I are called to a legacy of love.  Listen to the words of "Legacy of Love" and ponder the purpose for which you were saved.  (John 13:34-35, 1 John 3:18)

Words

The scent of perfume filled the home as the guests dined in His honor.  This distinguished group had gathered to celebrate the miraculous salvation of Lazarus, but not everyone seemed to have the same focus.  While the woman lovingly anointed the feet of her Lord as a tender offering, another protested the extravagance.  "The poor would be better served by your generosity." (John 12:1-8)

While it is important for us to take care of those in need, and God made it clear in His Word that He wants us to generously give toward the poor, defending the cause of the weak, the widow and the fatherless, (Deuteronomy 15:11, Psalm 82:3-4) it is easy for the church to become just another institution providing social programs.

Doing things God's way means I'm not just concerned with His commands, but in how I carry them out.  Standing for the truth is important, but this does not trump the command that Jesus gave us to be known for our love for one another.  Sometimes the most compassionate thing I can do is to bear with my brother or sister until she can see the truth for what it is.  (Colossians 3:12-14)

Just as Mary's heart longed to demonstrate her love for Jesus in an excessively generous way, so should my actions be driven by my desire to show my love for my Lord and Savior.  When I'm so intent on saying what I know to be right, the message becomes more important than the one to whom the words are directed.  My passion for loving those around me should overpower my desire to be heard.

I will leave a legacy of love when my actions speak more of the love of Christ than do the words I say.

Faith

The man may have been small in stature, but he was big in faith.  He was despised by those who had suffered under his greedy hand, yet when faced with the One who offered the life he longed to live, Zaccheus accepted the gift without hesitation. (Luke 19:1-10)  

Instead of defending his cheating ways, Zaccheus immediately made things right, giving back four times what he had taken.   All those who knew him, though, sneered, "How could Jesus stoop so low as to dine with this traitor to our people?"  But Jesus knew the heart of the swindler turned philanthropist.

The love of Jesus allows me to always believe that people can change.  Instead of only focusing on the tenets of my faith, then, I can also trust God enough to rejoice in the truth even when it hurts.  I'm sure it wasn't easy for a wealthy tax collector to dip so deeply into his stores in order to do what was right, but his faith spurred him to do exactly that.  There is nothing else said of Zaccheus in scripture, but I wouldn't be surprised if he became an advocate for the outcasts of society, thus passing on the heritage he received from Jesus.  

I will leave a legacy of love when my faith in God drives me to never give up on anyone, even myself.

Generosity

The tinkling of the tiny coins falling into the coffers drew the attention of the Master.  While many men had given much money that day, no one gave as much as this elderly widow.  Why?  She gave all she had. (Luke 21:3-4)

How often do I give generously, but only out of my abundance?  I am quick to donate money when I have more than enough to cover my needs, but when times are tight I cut back on what I give.  It is easy for me to be generous with my stuff, but when it comes to taking the time to help someone, I'm stingy.  I am openhanded when it comes to volunteering where I feel comfortable, but I'm wary of pledging my help when I don't feel equipped or competent.

The widow's offering was remarkable because she gave out of her poverty, believing that God would come through to provide her needs for the next day.  If I saw God the same way she did, I would never hold back.  Then, a disruption to my schedule would become a divine appointment, a plea for help when the bank account is low would turn into an opportunity to watch God provide, and a needy neighbor on a busy day would develop into an opening for grace to flow.

I will leave a legacy of love when I freely give all of me.

It doesn't matter how much I do for God if love is not the hallmark of my life.  I can take a lesson from Mary, Zaccheus and the poor widow whose lives teach me how to not simply speak empty words, but demonstrate love in action; to trust God enough to give Him a chance to change the people in my life; and to generously give of myself.  In these ways, I will leave a legacy of love.

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I will keep the love of Jesus always in my consciousness.

What would those around me say about my life and it's legacy?

How can I pay more attention to the opportunities God gives me to pass on the love of Christ?