FROM THE DAWGHOUSE…
A Christian’s Legacy
As Christians, the concept of legacy often occupies our thoughts. We reflect on the impact we’ve made, the life we’ve lived, and how we’ll be remembered. But from a biblical perspective, as Steve Brown shared at a recent Forge session, our legacy boils down to two fundamental things: where we came from and where we are going. Everything else is straw – temporary and fleeting.
In the grand narrative of Scripture, our origin is not just in the dust of the earth but in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Our beginning points us to God’s creative work, shaping us as His image-bearers, with an eternal purpose. However, as much as we were created to reflect God’s glory, the story of mankind is also the story of our fall. We came from a state of brokenness and sinfulness, inherited from Adam, where we are incapable of saving ourselves (Romans 5:12).
Without Christ, our natural legacy is one of rebellion and alienation from God. Yet, in His grace, God did not leave us in this state. Through the cross of Christ, we were redeemed and given a new beginning.
This is why the most important aspect of where we came from is not just our origin as humans, but our origin as redeemed people, transformed by God’s love. Our legacy begins with the understanding that we have been saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8). The past no longer defines us; God’s grace does.
Equally essential is where we are heading. Our Christian legacy isn’t found in the accolades, careers, or even in the temporary relationships we’ve built. It is ultimately about our eternal destination.
The Apostle Paul reminds us that the things of this world are passing away (1 Corinthians 7:31), and that what will truly endure is our life in Christ, and the eternal inheritance that awaits those who believe in Him (1 Peter 1:4). Our legacy is intertwined with God’s eternal kingdom, where every act of faith, every moment of obedience, and every expression of love leaves a mark that goes beyond this temporal life.
Jesus told His disciples to “store up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:20), not on earth, because the real measure of our lives is in how they align with God’s purposes and how they contribute to His kingdom. Our earthly achievements, while potentially impactful, are ultimately “straw” if they are not tied to eternal significance.
In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon reflects on the fleeting nature of human pursuits – whether wealth, wisdom, or pleasure, concluding that without God, all is vanity (Ecclesiastes 1:2).
Similarly, if our lives are wrapped up in temporary achievements or the praise of people, those things will be burned up like straw in the fire of God’s final judgment (1 Corinthians 3:12-15). Our true legacy, therefore, is not what we accumulate or achieve in this life but how we faithfully follow Christ and contribute to the advancement of His kingdom. In the end, the only lasting legacy is that which points to Jesus.
Indeed, as Christians, our legacy is rooted in two simple, yet profound truths: we came from the grace of God and are destined for eternal life with Him. Everything else, though it may seem important now, is temporary and will fade away. Our greatest legacy will be how we honored God, shared His love, and lived out our faith in anticipation of the eternal glory that awaits us.
May the men of Forge live with this focus, setting our eyes on what truly matters – knowing where we came from, and confidently walking toward where we are going. The rest is straw.
To the Kingdom.
Joe Bouch
