We often avoid thinking about our mortality, but the reality is stark: we're all dying. From the moment we pass the age of twenty-five, our bodies begin their slow march towards decomposition. As Winston Churchill aptly put it, "We're all dying. That's what defines the condition of living." This sobering truth, however, isn't meant to depress us. Instead, it should propel us to consider what truly matters in life. The story of Abraham teaches us that a life of faith is as much about dying well as it is about living well.
We often find ourselves pondering our place in the world and the impact we'll leave behind. As we journey through our days, it's crucial to remember that our lives are but a dot on the timeline of history. However, the true significance lies not in the dot itself, but in the line that passes through it – the line of faith, purpose, and legacy that connects us to generations past and future. Abraham’s story challenges us to consider: How will we finish our race? What legacy will we leave behind?
Résumé Virtues vs. Eulogy Virtues
In our achievement-driven culture, we often focus on what author David Brooks calls "resume virtues" – our accomplishments, degrees, and career successes. But at the end of life, it's the "eulogy virtues" that truly matter and are most often the legacy we leave behind in the lives of those closest to us. These are the character traits and relational impacts that defined the person we were, not just what we did.
In Genesis 25, we see that Abraham approached his final days with a sense of satisfaction and completeness. He had lived a life oriented towards God's purposes, and in doing so, found true fulfillment. This challenges us to consider: how are we living our lives? Are we fixated on building our own kingdoms, or are we aligning ourselves with God's greater plan?
Abraham’s Legacy of Faith
One of the most striking aspects of Abraham's legacy is his willingness to let go. As death approached, he distributed his wealth, giving the bulk to Isaac, the son of promise, while also providing for his other children. This act of release demonstrates a profound truth: our possessions are temporary, but the values we pass on can be eternal. It's not about the physical inheritance we leave behind, but the spiritual legacy we impart.
Genesis 25 tells us that Abraham died "full of years," a phrase that speaks not just to quantity of life, but quality. He had lived with purpose, faith, and hope in God's promises. Even in death, Abraham's faith looked forward to the fulfillment of God's word. He chose to be buried in the land of promise, a seemingly small plot that symbolized a much greater inheritance to come.
This forward-looking faith is a hallmark of the believer's life. Like Abraham, we're called to live with our eyes fixed on God's promises, even when their full realization lies beyond our earthly existence. This perspective changes everything—how we view our possessions, our trials, and even our deaths.
The story of Abraham reminds us that God's purposes extend far beyond our individual lives. We see this in the genealogies that follow Abraham's death, which include not just the line of promise through Isaac, but also the descendants of Ishmael and Abraham's other sons. This expansive view underscores two crucial truths: God cares about the nations, and He cares about the next generation.
God's heart for the nations is woven throughout Scripture, from His initial promise to Abraham that all peoples would be blessed through him, to the vision in Revelation of a multitude from every tribe and tongue worshipping before God's throne. This global perspective should shape our prayers, our giving, and our going. We're called to be part of God's mission to bless all nations.
Equally important is God's concern for future generations. The faith that was passed from Abraham to Isaac, and then to Jacob, reminds us of our responsibility to hand down the baton of faith. God's promises to Abraham weren't just for him, but for his descendants and ultimately for all nations. This challenges us to think beyond ourselves, to consider how we're investing in those who will come after us.
For parents, this means recognizing that all parenting is discipleship. We're not just raising children; we're shaping future bearers of God's message to the world. But this responsibility isn't limited to biological parents. As part of God's family, we're all called to be spiritual parents, investing in the faith of younger generations.
Encouragingly, recent studies suggest that younger generations, particularly Gen Z, are more open to conversations about faith than we might assume.[1] This presents a tremendous opportunity for us to share the hope we have in Christ.
What Abraham Leaves for Us
Abraham's story fundamentally changes our understanding of salvation. Genesis 15:6 tells us, "Abraham believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness." This pivotal moment underscores that right standing with God comes through faith, not works.
The apostle Paul expounds on this in Romans 4, reminding us that Abraham's righteousness came before the law was given. This truth is the heart of the gospel – that justification comes by faith through God's grace alone. We can't earn our status before God, but through simple trust in Jesus Christ, we have a guarantee of union with God.
Abraham's life also provides a pattern for faithful living. And yet, while Abraham's faith is commendable, his life wasn't perfect. He had moments of doubt, made mistakes, and at times tried to fulfill God's promises through his own efforts. Yet God's view of Abraham, as recorded in Hebrews 11, focuses on his faith and obedience over a lifetime.
This encourages us that God can use imperfect people—which is good news, because that's all He has to work with! We will mess up, sometimes spectacularly. But our weaknesses and failures don't disqualify us from being used by God; rather, they become opportunities for His grace to shine through. No failure is beyond God's ability to redeem.
Ultimately, Abraham's story points us to Jesus. The promises God made to Abraham find their fulfillment in Christ. Matthew's gospel opens by tracing Jesus' lineage back to Abraham, showing how God's plan of redemption unfolds across generations.
What made Abraham righteous wasn't the strength or purity of his faith, but its object. The overarching theme of Abraham's journey is that God is faithful. When all else fails, when everyone else abandons us, God remains true to His word and His promises.
Living with Eternal Perspective
Abraham's life challenges us to live with our eyes on eternity. If our hope is wrapped up in our past accomplishments or future earthly aspirations, we'll always struggle with insecurity and fear. But if our hope is set on the eternal city, the promised land where we'll dwell in God's presence forever, we can hold loosely to temporal things. This perspective frees us to focus on what truly matters: passing on the baton of faith to the next generation and taking the gospel to the nations.
As we contemplate these truths, we're faced with a vital question: How will we live in light of eternity? Will we cling tightly to temporal things, or will we, like Abraham, loosen our grip on this world and fix our eyes on the eternal city prepared for us? As we near the end of our earthly journey, may we be able to say like Abraham that we are satisfied — not because we've achieved all our goals or accumulated great wealth, but because we've lived with our eyes on the prize, the eternal Kingdom of God.
Let us lift our eyes to the mission of God, looking forward to the day when people from every nation, tribe, and tongue will gather around His throne. And let us commit to passing on the baton of faith to the next generation, trusting that they will advance God's mission even further than we have. In a world obsessed with leaving a mark, may we remember that our true legacy is not found in what we keep, but in what we give away. Not in the dot of our individual lives, but in the line of faith that flows through us to bless future generations.
[1] https://www.barna.com/research/teens-and-jesus/?mc_cid=7833164880&mc_eid=3ab6f1934f
We often find ourselves pondering our place in the world and the impact we'll leave behind. As we journey through our days, it's crucial to remember that our lives are but a dot on the timeline of history. However, the true significance lies not in the dot itself, but in the line that passes through it – the line of faith, purpose, and legacy that connects us to generations past and future. Abraham’s story challenges us to consider: How will we finish our race? What legacy will we leave behind?
Résumé Virtues vs. Eulogy Virtues
In our achievement-driven culture, we often focus on what author David Brooks calls "resume virtues" – our accomplishments, degrees, and career successes. But at the end of life, it's the "eulogy virtues" that truly matter and are most often the legacy we leave behind in the lives of those closest to us. These are the character traits and relational impacts that defined the person we were, not just what we did.
In Genesis 25, we see that Abraham approached his final days with a sense of satisfaction and completeness. He had lived a life oriented towards God's purposes, and in doing so, found true fulfillment. This challenges us to consider: how are we living our lives? Are we fixated on building our own kingdoms, or are we aligning ourselves with God's greater plan?
Abraham’s Legacy of Faith
One of the most striking aspects of Abraham's legacy is his willingness to let go. As death approached, he distributed his wealth, giving the bulk to Isaac, the son of promise, while also providing for his other children. This act of release demonstrates a profound truth: our possessions are temporary, but the values we pass on can be eternal. It's not about the physical inheritance we leave behind, but the spiritual legacy we impart.
Genesis 25 tells us that Abraham died "full of years," a phrase that speaks not just to quantity of life, but quality. He had lived with purpose, faith, and hope in God's promises. Even in death, Abraham's faith looked forward to the fulfillment of God's word. He chose to be buried in the land of promise, a seemingly small plot that symbolized a much greater inheritance to come.
This forward-looking faith is a hallmark of the believer's life. Like Abraham, we're called to live with our eyes fixed on God's promises, even when their full realization lies beyond our earthly existence. This perspective changes everything—how we view our possessions, our trials, and even our deaths.
The story of Abraham reminds us that God's purposes extend far beyond our individual lives. We see this in the genealogies that follow Abraham's death, which include not just the line of promise through Isaac, but also the descendants of Ishmael and Abraham's other sons. This expansive view underscores two crucial truths: God cares about the nations, and He cares about the next generation.
God's heart for the nations is woven throughout Scripture, from His initial promise to Abraham that all peoples would be blessed through him, to the vision in Revelation of a multitude from every tribe and tongue worshipping before God's throne. This global perspective should shape our prayers, our giving, and our going. We're called to be part of God's mission to bless all nations.
Equally important is God's concern for future generations. The faith that was passed from Abraham to Isaac, and then to Jacob, reminds us of our responsibility to hand down the baton of faith. God's promises to Abraham weren't just for him, but for his descendants and ultimately for all nations. This challenges us to think beyond ourselves, to consider how we're investing in those who will come after us.
For parents, this means recognizing that all parenting is discipleship. We're not just raising children; we're shaping future bearers of God's message to the world. But this responsibility isn't limited to biological parents. As part of God's family, we're all called to be spiritual parents, investing in the faith of younger generations.
Encouragingly, recent studies suggest that younger generations, particularly Gen Z, are more open to conversations about faith than we might assume.[1] This presents a tremendous opportunity for us to share the hope we have in Christ.
What Abraham Leaves for Us
Abraham's story fundamentally changes our understanding of salvation. Genesis 15:6 tells us, "Abraham believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness." This pivotal moment underscores that right standing with God comes through faith, not works.
The apostle Paul expounds on this in Romans 4, reminding us that Abraham's righteousness came before the law was given. This truth is the heart of the gospel – that justification comes by faith through God's grace alone. We can't earn our status before God, but through simple trust in Jesus Christ, we have a guarantee of union with God.
Abraham's life also provides a pattern for faithful living. And yet, while Abraham's faith is commendable, his life wasn't perfect. He had moments of doubt, made mistakes, and at times tried to fulfill God's promises through his own efforts. Yet God's view of Abraham, as recorded in Hebrews 11, focuses on his faith and obedience over a lifetime.
This encourages us that God can use imperfect people—which is good news, because that's all He has to work with! We will mess up, sometimes spectacularly. But our weaknesses and failures don't disqualify us from being used by God; rather, they become opportunities for His grace to shine through. No failure is beyond God's ability to redeem.
Ultimately, Abraham's story points us to Jesus. The promises God made to Abraham find their fulfillment in Christ. Matthew's gospel opens by tracing Jesus' lineage back to Abraham, showing how God's plan of redemption unfolds across generations.
What made Abraham righteous wasn't the strength or purity of his faith, but its object. The overarching theme of Abraham's journey is that God is faithful. When all else fails, when everyone else abandons us, God remains true to His word and His promises.
Living with Eternal Perspective
Abraham's life challenges us to live with our eyes on eternity. If our hope is wrapped up in our past accomplishments or future earthly aspirations, we'll always struggle with insecurity and fear. But if our hope is set on the eternal city, the promised land where we'll dwell in God's presence forever, we can hold loosely to temporal things. This perspective frees us to focus on what truly matters: passing on the baton of faith to the next generation and taking the gospel to the nations.
As we contemplate these truths, we're faced with a vital question: How will we live in light of eternity? Will we cling tightly to temporal things, or will we, like Abraham, loosen our grip on this world and fix our eyes on the eternal city prepared for us? As we near the end of our earthly journey, may we be able to say like Abraham that we are satisfied — not because we've achieved all our goals or accumulated great wealth, but because we've lived with our eyes on the prize, the eternal Kingdom of God.
Let us lift our eyes to the mission of God, looking forward to the day when people from every nation, tribe, and tongue will gather around His throne. And let us commit to passing on the baton of faith to the next generation, trusting that they will advance God's mission even further than we have. In a world obsessed with leaving a mark, may we remember that our true legacy is not found in what we keep, but in what we give away. Not in the dot of our individual lives, but in the line of faith that flows through us to bless future generations.
[1] https://www.barna.com/research/teens-and-jesus/?mc_cid=7833164880&mc_eid=3ab6f1934f
Pastor Sam Morgan
Posted in Abraham: The Adventure of Faith
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