Have you ever considered that your faith not only saves you, but leaves a legacy of faith for others?
Consider Rahab.
As the siege on Jericho was coming, she stayed in her house, trusting her life to God. I’m sure that was the longest week of Rahab’s life. But she knew what no one else in Jericho knew: Regardless of the city’s apparent power, God was going to win the battle. So when the spies came and told Rahab to tie a scarlet cord in the window and gather her family into their house, Rahab did it. The rest of the story we know: The walls came a tumblin’ down. But Rahab and Rahab’s family were saved.
But it gets better. After Jericho was destroyed, Rahab left with Israel and made her home among them. And there, 1 Chronicles 2 tells us, she met a guy named Salmon (Salma in Hebrew), whom the writer of Chronicles describes as “The Father of Bethlehem,” which basically means he founded and built the city of Bethlehem. Together they had a child named Boaz.
Boaz: You might recognize that name. You see, when Boaz grew up, he met and married another young Gentile woman, a recent widow, who had fled to Israel as a refugee because of a famine in her country. Her name was Ruth. (Ringing any bells yet?) Ruth and Boaz had a son named Obed, and Obed had a son named Jesse. And Jesse had a son named … David.
David, as you know, became the greatest earthly king Israel had ever known. And from David’s line would one day come another Son, Jesus Christ, the King of kings, who would die for the sins of the world.
And all of that stemmed from the simple faith of Rahab.
You might think there’s no hope for your family. You might think that your past, your failures, your shame, your divorce, or your reputation puts a curse into your family. You might think your legacy is already written, and it’s not a great one. Think again. God included in Jesus’ bloodline two Gentile women—both poor, both refugees, one a widow and one a prostitute—to prove that he brings his best wine from broken pots. From the wombs of refugees and prostitutes God brought forth the Son of God.
Listen: Rahab’s act of faith not only saved her, but it changed the trajectory of her future family line.
I point this out because some of you are on the fence with Jesus right now. Some of you are dads who aren’t quite sure if you’re ready to follow him. Do you realize what could happen in your family and in your family line if you obey today?
Some of you are high school students wondering if it’s worth it to follow Jesus. Do you realize what kind of difference it would make in the lives of your current friends, your future friends, your siblings, your future family, if you choose to trust Jesus today?
Some of you are kids. Do you know the difference it will make in the lives of others for the rest of your life if you choose to follow Jesus today?
Regardless of who you are, if you put Jesus first today, every person you meet from here on out will be affected.
My mind goes back to a troubled young man in his mid-20s whose wife was eight-and-a-half months pregnant with their first child. Someone had invited him to church, where the preacher urged him to give his life to Jesus. An invitation hymn was given. The first stanza was sung, and he stood there as if his feet were bolted to the floor. The preacher got up between the verses of the song and urged again, sure someone else needed to come, so they sang a second verse. Still, the man couldn’t move. They sang a third verse. Still nothing.
People were starting to get annoyed. “Why can’t we just end the service? The worship pastor is always dragging stuff out. I just want to go to Shoney’s.” But they extended it into the fourth verse. The man said he looked down and could see that his knuckles were white from clutching the pew in front of him. He didn’t want to step out. But then, at last, almost as if the decision wasn’t even his, he let go.
I’m so glad he did.
Because that man was Lynn Greear, my dad. And when he stepped out in that aisle, walked forward, and gave his life to Jesus, he did more than simply change his own life. He changed my mom’s life, my sister’s life, and my life. He charted a new course for his children and their children to come.
My dad couldn’t look into the future to see all of the people who would be changed from that one decision. Neither can you. But I guarantee this: That same thing is happening today, as God calls people to fully trust in him. He’s inviting you to know him, to follow him, to trust him—not simply for yourself, but to start a legacy of faith for generations. Will you step out in faith?
One act of faith creates a legacy; it changes eternities—not just yours, but also of many people who will be caught up in the wake of your influence. So why are you waiting? Start that legacy of blessing today.
