A Legacy of Love

By Beverly Hill McKinney

Webster’s Dictionary defines legacy as, “A gift by will of money or property or something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor from the past.”

How is a legacy received? As Webster’s defines legacy it is something that we receive from an ancestor upon their death. Some ways we can receive a legacy is through:

Our family: We often think of a legacy in the form of money or property, but legacies can also be left to us as disharmony, rebellion, discord or a disregard for the things of God. These behaviors create an atmosphere of having nothing to do with Christianity and a generation of rebellion and hate. Families can also leave legacies of love, respect for God and the teachings of the Bible. From the prayers of our grandparents or parents, we have been shown the way to our own commitment to Christ. What will the legacy be we leave to our children?

The Bible: The Bible records some important legacies. In Genesis 15:18 God established a legacy with Abraham that the chosen people would be through his line. David also left a legacy in his son, Solomon, who would continue to be faithful to

God and build the temple. In 2 Timothy 1: Paul commends Timothy for following the example of his grandmother, Lois, and the Christian heritage she left him.

God’s legacy. God, seeing the sin of man, sent His Son, Jesus, to be a legacy of love to mankind. God knew there had to be a death in order to leave a legacy. Therefore, He sent his only son, Jesus to live a sinless life and die for mankind so we could experience the legacy of eternal life. This promise is given in John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life. The benefits of a legacy cannot be used until the gift which has been left is accepted. So with God’s legacy we must individually accept Christ’s death on the cross and His resurrection for us before we can experience the benefits of that legacy.

At this Christmas season, receive God’s legacy of eternal life through His Son, Jesus. God promises us in John 1:12 that if we receive Him, He will give us the power to become the sons of God and enjoy the eternal benefits of His legacy of love.

Beverly Hill McKinney writes from Rogue River, Oregon. bmckinnehill@yahoo.com