LEGACY- Hearing and responding to the Gospel of Grace

"If you hear the Gospel and it does not bless you, hear it again. If you read the Word of God and it has not saved you, read it again. It has the power to save your soul! [...] Oh if men would search for salvation as though it was hidden treasure!" (Charles Spurgeon)

This morning, like most mornings, I sat looking at my face in the mirror. About every two-three days I notice that it is time to take the razor and give myself a good, clean shave. Since I care about my appearance, and my comfort, I chose to take the razor and pare down the growing hairs on my cheek and neck. However, this day was different than most. As I looked in the mirror, I stopped and examined myself. I don't know if you have ever done this before, but if you have did you ever look into your own eyes? Have you ever stared into your own eyes and asked the question... what am I building with my life?

I remember this was one of my favorite things to do when I was in high school. I would stand in front of the bathroom mirror and look myself in the eye. Most times this was because I was practicing for a part I had in a play but other times I asked myself the above mentioned question. James uses this illustration in the first chapter of his epistle. He exhorts believers to look into the mirror and examine themselves, essentially to see if their life is matching up with the faith they proclaim.

As I think about my own life, I often wonder if my life is matching the faith I proclaim. While at the youthful age of 27, I concede I am not old at all, I also realize that I am not as young as I once was. I have completed two degrees in higher education, I have made many friendships and built relationships with people around the country, I have traveled all over the world, and yet I still am asking myself the question- what am I building with my life? Is my life matching up with my faith? What will be my legacy?

My father was a great man. So was my grandfather. I have a picture of them next to my bed. In fact it is a picture of all the men who bear my namesake. The Robert Philip Erbig's... of which I am the fourth and only remaining. As I look at myself in the mirror that question continues to infect my heart. I want to live a life that makes a difference. I want my life to be characterized by a humble dependence on my Savior where he gets the Glory for everything that I do. I want my legacy to be one where Jesus is seen through my actions and life. I think that's what James was talking about in the first chapter of his letter to the church.

Has anyone else asked themselves this question? If you are reading this I hope that it challenges you to strive towards a life that builds a legacy for Jesus. He is the only thing that matters. His grace is something that should drive us to our knees and cause us to respond in humble obedience. We should seek him with our very lives! When we do that- his legacy is secured in us.

A Fall Favorite Returns...

I love the fall. Leaves change. Colors abound. And the Pumpkin Spice Latte has returned to Starbucks. Go get one!

PS- Forgot to make this note in the last post!

HUMILITY (Part One)- A grace filled return to the blogosphere

As my friends have been quick to point out... I have not posted a blog since January 22... or this year. The previous blog on my site was posted by a gentlemen who shall remain nameless, but brilliant. And so, after a long hiatus from the blogging world (let's just say I was running a life-marathon and then resting from it), in the words of the great poet Michael Scott, "I'll be baaaaaaacccckkkkk..... AND I am baaaaaaccccckkkkkk."

With this return, I can think of no better subject to write on than humility. Let me begin by saying that I am NOT a humble man. I am proud. I think I am the greatest thing on the face of the earth. The world does indeed revolve around me. Unfortunately, like most people I was not totally aware of this area of sin. But then I was blind sidedly convicted as I read the opening chapter of CJ Mahaney's book "Humility." Here is his definition of humility: Humility is honestly assessing ourselves in light of God's holiness and our sinfulness. Now that is quote to meditate on. As I sat there enjoying my pepperoni pizza from Il Vicino my eating started to slow as I gazed off in the distance. The question on my heart was "Am I humble?" And when I was honest with myself I had to answer: No, I am not. I am sinful and I should fall to my knees as I consider the holiness of my God.

Some of us rarely think about the topic of humility. Why would we? In a world of Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Blogs, and Unlimited Cell Phone plans we have all created our own worlds where we play God. There is even an application for the iPhone called "Pocket God" where you can create your own civilization and rule over it. When you are God why do you need to be humble? But the truth is we are not God. And we must assess ourselves in view of the holiness of God. Each and every one of us is sinful and depraved before God. Only by his grace have we been saved through faith. For that we should be eternally grateful. As I look at the holiness of God in comparison with how sinful I am... I have no course of action other than to be eternally grateful.

This has huge implications for our homes, work, our family, our church, and our career. If we are not humble then relational discord will no doubt break out in the previous arenas. My hope is that, as each of us lives our lives, we would be humble. After all, Christ gave us the perfect example of humility as Paul wrote in Philippians chapter two. Humility shows other people that Christ has made a difference in our lives because we were given a gift we did not deserve. We must throw off pride and focus on the grace we have been given through the cross of Christ!

The bottom line is this: We must be more humble! When that happens lives will be changed and legacies will be built.