Honoring our Legacy

Celebrate our Past!
Terry R. Baughman

“I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands” (2 Timothy 1:5-6 NIV).

Some pride themselves on being a self-made man, however, that is seldom the case. Everyone who accomplishes anything in life does so with the assistance of someone else. We learn from our parents, mentors, friends, and educators. Mistakes are made, and second chances grant us the possibility to try again, having learned from our failed experience. Other opportunities come from unexpected sources and beyond our ability to create. We learn and we grow because of the collective wisdom of all these influences.

It becomes apparent that we are a product of our environment and those attributes which we inherited from our ancestry. Some of our abilities and inclinations are inherent in our psyche; they are talents with which we were born. Other strengths and understanding comes from external sources. We were taught tools to navigate life in difficult circumstances. 

It may serve us well to remember that one of the ten commandments, which are the very foundation of God’s guidance for life, calls on us to, “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you” (Exodus 20:12 NIV). Paul referred to this commandment as one with promise, “That it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth” (Ephesians 6:3 NIV). 

It is expected of us that we would live in obedience to God’s commandments. In the context, after a commandment to observe the Sabbath of rest, and right before, “Do not murder,” is this commandment to, “Honor your father and mother.” Observe this and there is an attached blessing to those who remember our past and honor our legacy. 

Paul spoke of the legacy enjoyed by Timothy. He wrote to the young minister and remarked that the same sincere faith seen in him was also evident in his mother and grandmother. Something special and spiritual had been transmitted to each succeeding generation. Those who can look back and remember the heritage received from their lineage are especially blessed and should always give honor to those who lived in faith and left such a great legacy. 

The implication of a spiritual legacy is included in the message of Peter on the Day of Pentecost. After he declared the outpouring of the Spirit to be a fulfillment of the prophecy of Joel, he went on to extend the blessing to those who were to come. The gift of the Spirit was promised to all who believe, repent, and experience water baptism in the name of Jesus. All who heard him preach could have been recipients of this promise. He said, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Then Peter continued with an extension of that promise when he said, “For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call” (Acts 2:38-39 NKJ). Jesus is still calling people unto Himself, and the promise is still being proclaimed to every succeeding generation. 

There are many who do not have a legacy of spiritual gifts in their families. Some are the only representative in their family that have obeyed the Scripture and received the New Birth experience. Even those have a legacy. There are a host of believers who have preceded us that have left behind their witness of faith, and lived their lives in such a way to inspire us to follow Christ with the same passion and conviction. That is also a legacy we can honor as we thank God for His grace and the blessing of knowing such great leaders.  

Whether it’s a family connection, or a long surviving congregation of faithful believers, there is ample cause to celebrate our heritage and honor the legacy of faith with which we have been blessed. May we always honor our legacy!
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Theme passage:
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11 NKJ).