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A
legacy, according to Webster, is ‘money or property
left to someone by a will – bequest. What was
‘handed down.’
Just before Jesus returned to heaven, by way of the
cross, resurrection and ascension, He had a
heart-to-heart talk with His disciples (John
chapters 14 and 16. You remember how He told them
in John 14:1, “Let not your heart be troubled.”
He was thus preparing them for the days ahead
when He would be crucified, rise again, and ascend
into heaven.
Often when people know they would soon die, they
consider what they want to leave to those ‘left
behind.’ We can’t begin to tell all the blessings
He would be leaving for His own, but some are given
in these chapters. One thing for sure He said He
would send the Holy Ghost after He left:
“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient
for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the
Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart I
will send him unto you”—John 16:7.
What impressed me is that He gave them His NAME
(John 14:13-14). Does this mean, just ending a
prayer “In Jesus Name?” As though He has given you
a book of checks with His Name signed. Of course
there are stipulations, “If ye abide in me, and
my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will,
and it shall be done unto you”—John 15:7. This
includes abiding in Him and His word abiding in
you. Then you will not be praying amiss, but
knowing the will of God. Peter and John used His
Name when the lame man at the Gate Beautiful was
healed (Acts 4:10-12). You will notice it was
through faith in His Name.
He left us His Word – “Now ye are clean
through the word which I have spoken unto you”—John
15:3. His word is a lamp unto our feet and a light
to our path. Psalm 119:9 - the way a young man
cleanseth his way. Just to read it is not enough.
We need to take heed to it. This word will cleanse
us if we allow it to do so. Taking heed means ‘to
pay attention to it.’
We
are so dependent upon Him. He is the Vine, we are
the branches. We cannot bear fruit without abiding,
taking up our abode, in Him. John 15:5 tells us
that ‘without Him we can do nothing.’ Of course the
other side of the coin is: Phil. 4:13, “I can do
all things through Christ which stengtheneth me.”
So consider our legacy. His Name – His Word –
and answered prayer (John 15:7).
We
will bear fruit as we abide in the vine. Galatians
5:22-23 lists the fruit of the Spirit. The first
three are love, joy, peace, then the 7th is faith.
Jesus gave us all of these, not just being ours, but
His. He said, ‘My love, My Joy, My peace,’ and we
live by the Faith of the Son of God. We can avail
ourselves of these as we walk in the Spirit – see
Galatians 5:16.
He left us His LOVE “If ye keep my
commandments, ye shall abide in my LOVE; even as I
have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his
love”—John 15:10. He first loves us. He taught
us to love one another. The love we have one for
another is actually our identification mark (John
13:35). Can our own love grow thin? Does it seem
to come to an end? Then take His Love for your
own. Let Him love through you. This love is more
than just a feeling. It produces action. God loved
and He gave. Jesus loved and He gave. This love
causes us to give, causes us to deny self so others
can be blessed. This love in unconditional.
He left us His JOY. John 15:11, “These
things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might
remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”
Peter says it is ‘joy unspeakable and full of
glory.’ The word says that “weeping may endure for a
night but joy cometh in the morning.” Someone has
said that JOY is ‘peace bubbling up.’ Nehemiah 8:10
tells us that “The Joy of the Lord is our
strength.” Joy is delight, pleasure, gladness.
The Apostle said, that we can “count it all joy when
we fall into divers temptations.” That is because
we know good will result in the end. But never
forget it is not our joy, but His. Jesus said so
-Our joy can be full. Joy is the second named fruit
of the Spirit.
Consider that He has left us His PEACE.
Notice that Jesus said in John 14:27, “Peace I
leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the
world giveth, give I unto you . .” This verse
is right after verse 26, when He spoke of the
Comforter. He is the God of Peace. The reason He
could give His peace is because He made peace by the
‘blood of His cross.’ In fact, He is our Peace.
Righteousness has been put to our account inI
Cor. 1:30. Isaiah 32:17 –
“The work of righteousness shall be
peace; and the effect of
righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.”
Also, Isaiah 26:3. Peace is the third named fruit
of the Spirit.
Then there is FAITH – the 7th
named fruit of the Spirit. It means ‘A fully
relying confidence.’ Paul said in Galatians 2:20
that he lived by the faith of the Son of God.
So it is His faith, not ours, but He gives us His
faith. This can also carry the meaning of fidelity
or faithfulness. In either case, it is His Faith
which causes us to trust Him, and His faith which
makes us faithful or steadfast, unmovable, always
abounding in the work of the Lord.
He promised us His GRACE. “And he said
unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee; for my
strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly
therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities,
that he power of Christ may rest upon me”—II
Corinthians 12:9. And He said His grace is
sufficient. He said His STRENGTH is made perfect in
weakness. So not only do we have His grace, but His
strength as well.
Consider again the legacy He left us: The Holy
Spirit, His Name, His Word, His Love, His Joy, His
Peace, His Faith, His Grace, and His Strength. This
should make us rejoice as we give Him praise and
glory today!
--Verta
Giddings.
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