Don’t Work for a Legacy, Do God’s Work

 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.-Ephesians 2:8-10

Yesterday, I was talking with someone who had, at one time, belonged to a church p[anting organization. In the course of that conversation, he had lamented that the language such as “We planted churches, we did this or that” had been used. And he is right: how often do we want to build a legacy, and make a claim, and try and leave something behind in a world that is perishing? How often do we want people to remember us, when the fact is God is the One who prepares the works that we do ahead of time?

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying “don’t make an impact.” When we die, there SHOULD be people talking about us and missing us when we’re gone. But what good is it if people miss us and NEVER see us again? Everything we do ought to be about Kingdom work! These are the works that God has prepared ahead of time. He sent His Son to be born of a virgin, as one of us, to live a perfect life and die the death that would satisfy the righteous demands of His justice, and rise again, conquering Death, which is the consequence of our sin. And He has sent His adoptive sons and daughters, purchased with that precious blood, out in to the world to proclaim the good news: Praise Jesus, we have freedom from Sin and Death! Life is not about building a name for ourselves; it is about bringing attention that there is hope for reconciliation with God and that only comes through the finished work of Christ Jesus. So stop worrying about your name. Focus on eternity, and the winning of souls to Christ. That is the work God has prepared ahead of time!

Titus 3:1-11

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

2 Timothy 3:10-17

You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.