Anyone that has read the eleventh chapter of the book of Hebrews knows that your life tells a story far beyond the day you die.  For example: “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh” (Hebrews 11:4).  We when are dead our story will still be remembered and maybe even told to others.  The goal of this article is to get us all to think about what that story will say about us.

     As we approach and consider this subject matter, let’s consider that there are both positive and negative life stories that we could leave behind.  Judas was a chosen servant of the Lord (Matthew 10:4). That would have been an honor.  Judas could have left behind the kind of story that would have glorified the Lord and told of his faith.  Yet, when you read of Judas Iscariot this is not the story he left behind.  Almost every time he is named the scriptures reveal him as a sinner who betrayed our Lord.  Notice the following descriptions of Judas: “...Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him” (Matthew 10:4; cf. Matthew 26:25, Matthew 27:3, Mark 3:19, John 12:4, and John 18:5).  “…Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor” (Luke 6:16).  “Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot…” (Luke 22:3; cf. John 13:2).  “Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?  He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve” (John 6:70-71).

     Judas would not only betray the Lord for thirty pieces of silver, but he was also a thief: “Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?  This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein” (John 12:4-6).  The best that could be said of Judas was said in prayer about appointing a replacement for Judas: “That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place” (Acts 1:25).  We certainly should not want to be remembered like Judas.

     On the flipside of the coin, we could be thought of and spoken of highly after our departure from this life.  If the worse that could be said of a person is that they pleased God that would be a great testimony.  Of Enoch, his report is: “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God” (Hebrews 11:5).

     Of some there could be negative and positive examples that are left behind.  Abraham did, at a time, doubt God (Genesis 17:17).  Abraham lied about Sarah being his sister and put her in harms way (Genesis 20:1ff.).  Abraham repented of these sins and is known for his faith.  The record declares the following about Abraham: “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.  By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Hebrews 11:8-10).  If we compare ourselves to Judas, Enoch, or Abraham who would you be most be likened unto?

     While our focus is upon the spiritual stories we leave behind we need to understand why our focus is on those matters.  As Christians we do not want to be remembered just for the things we do in the flesh.  A Christian who is successful in the business world and has many processions does not want that to be his story.  There was a certain rich man who had this story as the record shows us the following about him: “And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.  And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry” (Luke 12:16-19).  For some, this would be something they would love to be said of them.  Yet, the record does not end there.  The record continues to say: “But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?  So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:20-21).  Where is your success?  Is your wealth of God or man?

     Sometimes we measure success with the wrong ruler.  If this world is our measuring stick we have missed something in our studies of God’s word.  We are instructed throughout the word of God of the sinfulness in belonging to this world (Romans 12:2, James 4:4, and I John 2:15).  Furthermore, we are told the following: “And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever” (I John 2:17).  If this world is not your home and you desire to have eternal life, your measuring stick better be the word of God (Psalms 119:32-36).

     If we do use the word of God as our guide in this life and we live by it, then we shall be remembered for our faith shown through our works (James 2:14-26).  If we meditate upon the word of God we will respect the ways of the Lord (Psalms 119:15).  If we love the Lord we will be known as people who were obedient unto Him (I John 5:2).  If we have been obedient unto the Lord our lives will show the path for others to follow that they too would have eternal life that comes through obedience to God (Jeremiah 38:20).  Thus, we would be remembered as obedient Christians who are Heaven bound.  What better statement could the life of a Christian make?  Why would a Christian want to live any other type of life?  We also need to remember that our lives are more than just a story that will be left behind.  The way we live our life upon this earth is just the beginning of a never ending story!

     While we want to be known among men as faithful Christians, it is more important to consider what our lives will tell God.  Unlike men, God cannot be fooled into believing that we are something other than what we truly are (I Samuel 16:7 and Hebrews 4:13).  It is possible to leave behind a story and that story could be false.  Yet, when we stand before God there will be no spin put on the way we lived our lives on earth.  If we lived faithfully to God we will be rewarded for such (I Corinthians 3:8).  If we stand before the Lord having done evil we shall receive punishment (Revelation 20:13-15).  God’s judgment of us (whether punishment or reward) is eternal (Matthew 25:46).

     As we consider our ways (Haggai 1:5), let’s be honest.  Let’s worry not only about what our lives will tell others, but also what our lives will tell God.  Let those who love us know that we’ve gone onto something better.  Know that your life is heading upward and that will make this world a lot less of a burden to bear.  What will your life gain for you?

     Physical death is a reality (Hebrews 9:27).  Why not make your life count?  Why not live the kind of life that others will remember because of your faith.  That is the kind of life, if lived as God requires, that will bring about a great reward.  When James describes life as a vapor that appears for little time and then vanishes away (James 4:14), we often discount how much can be done in such a little time.  Parents can train their children up, in that little time, to be godly people (Ephesians 6:4).  Husbands and wives can work together, in our little time, to help each other live faithfully.  We can live the kind of life that no one can speak evil of unless they speak falsely (I Peter 3:16).

     Paul wrote Titus saying: “In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you” (Titus 2:7-8).  We should leave behind a good story.  Our lives should be a pattern that others could follow.  What will your story tell others and the Lord?