II CORINTHIANS 1:12: “For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you.”
OBSERVATION: What do I want people to remember about my life? I remember as a young boy visiting Knotts Berry Farm in California. It was more of a Western theme park back then than it is today. They had a fake “Boot Hill” cemetery with fake headstones that had funny sayings on them. I use to like to read those and laugh at the jokes written on them. At that age I never considered the importance of a legacy. However, as I consider it now, I do not want my life to be remembered as a joke.
Many people strive to achieve “things” as their legacy. The problem with “things” being our legacy is that they will never last. Paul was not aiming at “things” – he was aiming at “character”. When I look back at the life of my grandfather, grandmother, father, and mother, who are all now with the Lord, it is not what they accomplished that I remember – it was who they were. It was their character, their love, their faith, their life. Everything that they had worked so hard to build, the homes they owned, the cars they drove, the jobs they held – are gone. Yet, the love they gave, the character they displayed, the faith they shared – lives in my heart and life, as well as countless others.
This was Paul’s boast. This is what I want my boast to be too. If at the end of my life the only thing I have to show is the testimony of my conscience, that I have lived with simplicity (holiness), godly sincerity, and by the grace of God, I will have left a lasting legacy for my daughter and others. Each day I have this choice to make. Paul said he did not rely on worldly wisdom. If we are going leave a lasting legacy than we must not either. The world is always trying to pull us to focus on that which perishes. The Lord is always trying to direct us toward that which is eternal. The inner working of Jesus Christ in my heart that transforms my character is the greatest work of Grace. It is this work of Grace that makes me rich toward God and others. It is this work of Grace that produces a lasting legacy!
Lord, help me to pursue the things in life that will last. Help me to live with simplicity, godly sincerity, and by Your Grace! May I leave a legacy of faith and character that will be passed on for generations to come. In Jesus Name!
