What Will People Think of Me When I Die?

“What will people say about me when I die?” “How will I be thought of?” Have you ever asked yourself these questions?  How about “What legacy will I leave to the church and the world before I die?”  Perhaps it is good to think of these things.  Perhaps it is not…Will I be known for this blog?  Will I be known as the quiet guy at church?  Will I be remembered for sins I have committed?  Will I be known as a guy who started his career much too late in life? Will I be known as a guy who contributes to life in the church? What will my legacy be? Then I wonder, “Do these things really matter?”  Sure they do.  But as I ask myself these questions I also realize that these are not what is really important.  What do I mean?  Well, anybody can write a blog and appear to be pious and humble.  Anybody can do sound at church.  Anyone can usher at church.  Anyone can be on a committee, or serve in other capacities in the church.  These are all very important things, don’t get me wrong, but, they are also the things that others see.  My public acts.  These are the things that people in the church see.  What is the reason you do these things? What is the reason I do these things? Others don’t see the heart.  Others don’t know your prayer life, others don’t know how often I read the bible. Other people do not see how I treat my wife and kids behind closed doors.  Others don’t see whether I am a man of integrity or not.

It is only the Lord who knows our hearts.  It is only the Lord who sees what it is you “Google” after your wife goes to the store or to bed.  It is only the Lord who knows your thoughts and sees your deeds done in private. It is only the Lord who knows what you say, think, or do when someone cuts you off in traffic.  It is only the Lord who knows whether you turn that I-phone in to the lost and found.  It is  only the Lord who knows whether you really know HIM.  It is only the Lord who knows how you pray or read the Bible in your private devotions.  Do you have secret addictions? Am I secretly living in sin? Are you? What is it that crosses your mind when that girl walks by, or when that young man compliments you?  I think you get the point.  Our Lord knows us for who we truly are. Just as we cannot hide from Him, as Adam tried to do… neither can we close our eyes and pretend He’s not there when we sin in private.

In my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever Psalm 41:12

We must sincerely, intensly and fervently seek to be men and women of integrity, not merely before our brothers and sisters in the church… but before the face of God. For what really matters at the end, when we are held in account of our lives, is not simply how you saw me, or I saw you in this life. No.  What really matters is how God regards us in this life and the next.  Will He see us for the sinful beings we are?  Or will he see His perfect Son standing in our place?

Integrity.  This is one of the “hallmark’s” of the Christian life. The bible speaks literally 100’s of times regarding the issue of integrity. Here are a few verses for you.  Proverbs 10:9 says, “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.” Luke 16;10 says, “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.” Proverbs 11:3 says, ”The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.”

I think you get the point.

So.  Do you realize the holiness of God? In contrast do you really comprehend your sin and misery?   If we did we would cry out with the apostle, “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?” And we all know the answer, Jesus will rescue us. The blood, suffering, death, and obedience of Jesus Christ. This is where we find forgiveness of our sins through faith in Him. Put your trust in Him, and live a life of thankfulness for this great and free gift.  A life of thankfulness that includes living a life of integrity.