Let it be said of us...

So I was listening to the song "The Blessing" by John Waller on my way home.  The main point of the song is basically: What will people say of us as Christians? and will we choose to be a blessing or a curse to those around us. Such a great question, especially asking a "Christian Nation" like our own.  Ghandi has been quotes saying he likes our Christ but not our Christians.  I've heard from many more saying similar statements, presenting the fact that if we are claiming to love Jesus, it sure isn't coming out by how we live. Paul sums up pretty well in Philippians 2:1-14 how we as Christians should live.

A while back I remember being asked the question "What do you want people to say of you when you die?" I think most of us would settle for the good person spiel. But as a Christian is this our aim, to receive glory to ourselves when we die? I cant imagine what people like the Apostles, C.S. Lewis, and other notable Christian men would say to our attributing glory to them rather than the One they spent their lives proclaiming. In Isaiah 41:10-12 God states: 
"Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction. For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another. Listen to me, O Jacob, and Israel, whom I called! I am he; I am the first, and I am the last..."


Upon thinking about the things that make up what a "real" Christian is, I think there is one characteristic. Jesus exuded it. When asked about how to pray Jesus got right to the point! "Our Father, who art in heaven, HALLOWED BE THY NAME..." Its clear reading what Paul says about Jesus, and what God says in Isaiah, all Glory is to our Great Father. Everything we do is for His glory, Every change we have seen was for His glory, not our own; and he is clear "...My glory I will not give to another..." 


To conclude Matt Chandler in a sermon I recently heard presented the problem of praising God being dependent mostly because off things He has done.  While this is a major part of worship, what about praising Him solely because of who He is!!! Because of His Glory! Because He is the First and Last! Because His name is Hallowed! Admiring someone for things they have done, while it does add admiration, wont create a genuine love - What happens if they stop performing or their ability doesn't reflect their personality?

As for what I would like people to say of me when I die? I think the song sums this up well:
"Let it be said of us, that our hearts belong to Jesus..."