Our Lasting Legacy

The first President of our Philippine Commonwealth government, Manuel L. Quezon, who topped the bar exam for lawyers during his time is remembered more for his obsession and crusade for Philippine independence from the United States of America (U.S.A). His famous statement was “I prefer a government run like hell than a government run like heaven by Americans.”

President Manuel Roxas who also topped the bar exam during his time with an unsurpassed grade of 96%, left a legacy of a good name in Philippine politics. The Bible tells us, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold” (Prov. 22:1 KJV). For this reason, Mar Roxas, his illustrious grandson, easily won as Senator, and possibly will yet become the President next to President Noynoy Aquino who, by the way, was elected because he carries a “good name,” a legacy of his equally illustrious parents.

President Ramon Magsaysay, a simple mechanic, a guerrilla officer and a hero of World War II had his famous slogan: “He who has less in life should have more in law”.

President Ferdinand E. Marcos who also topped the bar exam in 1939, long after Quezon, with a very high general average, besting President Roxas, but whose grade was reduced by the Supreme Court after an interview en banc, so he will not surpass the grade of Roxas, is more remembered for his declaration of Martial rule. No President before him attempted to do it and I suppose with the lesson learned by Filipinos on the EDSA revolution, no succeeding President will ever attempt to again declare Martial Law rule in the Philippines.

In the U.S.A., John Wilkes Booth is remembered for taking the life by assassination with a gunshot at the back of an unarmed President Abraham Lincoln, who was himself an outstanding lawyer of his time, though he only studied law in a log cabin. Booth is not remembered as a hero but a villain. In contrast, President Lincoln is remembered as the one who preserved the Union of the U.S.A., freed the slaves, and exhibited “malice toward none and charity for all”. Consequently, by Divine providence, the U.S.A. had become and still today is the most powerful and economically progressive country in the world despite the economic crisis all over. This is the solemn promise of God to Abraham when the said, “I will bless you and whoever bless you I will bless”. Notably, America has since been blessing Israel with military assistance even as it attempts to police the whole world (Gen. 12:3).

People are remembered by future generations by what they have done or accomplished in an extraordinary or amazing manner in their lifetime whether bad or good, but more for good.

For us Christians, what achievement, good for the kingdom of God, will people of the future generations remember us, as soon as our name is mentioned? Of course, there are well-known and excellent Evangelists like Billy Graham, Pat Robertson and many others whose names are written in the Book of Life. Some are remembered as Founder of Christian organizations like Demos Shakarian of the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship, International (FGBMFI), or Church denomination like John Wesley of the Wesleyan church, and so on and so forth. These names are also indelibly written in the Book of Life.

Going back to Bible times, the redeemed sinners listed in Hebrews 11 like Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab (the harlot) and other great Bible characters like David and Solomon, and many others, are all remembered for one common virtue: “All these. . . obtained a good testimony through faith” (vs. 39). These great names in the Bible are so because of their faith in God and their outstanding service to the kingdom of God.

King Solomon toward the end of his luxurious and colorful life said, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13 KJV).

One of the criminals hanging on the cross of calvary with the Lord Jesus Christ said to the other unbelieving criminal also hanging with them, “Don’t you fear God…” Because that criminal believed Jesus Christ as the Son of God as eloquently proved by his statement, “Lord, remember me when thou art in paradise”, Jesus said, “I assure you today, thou shalt be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).

We might be a sinner like the believing criminal, but as soon as we accept and believe Him as our Lord and Savior and our God, and confess and repent of all our sins, we shall be saved (1 John 1:9).

The Bible tells us that: “But without faith it is impossible to please him (God): for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb. 11:6 KJV). Long after their deaths, the record of the lives of faith and obedience of all these great men of the Bible still inspire us today. Will our lives of faith and obedience in God (Jesus in person) inspire others after our death?

The indefatiguable Evangelist Rev. Shiloh Haigh will be remembered by FGBMFI, Davao City Chapter, as a generous servant of God who initiated the publication of our FGBMFI Saturday Bulletin – this Bulletin. This is one of its kind in the whole Philippines, and perhaps all over the Christian world. He also generously shouldered the allowance of our Bro. Teddy Reyes when he was on forced leave due to illness and for a considerable period of time thereafter. Ted has fully recovered, by the grace of God, and now still as active as ever as the coordinator of our fellowship. Glory be to God! Praise God for an FGBMFI member and adviser like Rev. Shiloh Haigh.

None of us in FGBMFI, Davao City Chapter, perhaps will be recorded in history books after we leave this world. King Solomon said,

⁵ For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even their name is forgotten. ⁶ Their love, their hate and their jealousy have long since vanished; never again will they have a part in anything that happens under the sun.” (Eccl. 9:5-6 NIV)

But certainly all of us will leave behind memories with our families and close friends. Those closest to us are watching our response to God through times of testing and blessing, and in serving Him and other people. Are we living in faith and obedience to God (Jesus Christ), particularly in spreading, teaching or preaching the Good News of salvation, through our life? What will be the legacy of our life to mankind and to the kingdom of God on earth? Will our God be pleased with the legacy we leave behind as a child of God? What legacy have we left behind when we enter heaven to be with the Lord Jesus forever and ever?

Someone said, “The legacy of a godly life as perceived by others speaks more eloquently than our words.”

(FGBMFI Davao City Chapter Bulletin May 11, 2013)