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Oct 27, 2025 06:00am

What Will They Remember Most About You?

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“I remember you came to my class and we made slime!”

That’s it? Out of everything I shared that day, that’s what you remember?

A young lady came up to me during her first week of college. I was set up in the science building, getting ready to speak to the students interested in pursuing some type of professional degree in healthcare. The room was filled with students with dreams of being doctors, dentists, physical therapists, physician assistants, optometrists, and pharmacists.

I had encountered many of them throughout my years of going into schools and hosting programs for students. Some I had in MASH, some in Club Scrub, others in A Day in the Life. But there were a few that remembered me coming into their eighth-grade Career Orientation class and us doing a fun science experiment—making slime.

And that’s what this young lady remembered.

Not what I said about the grit and determination needed to apply to medical school. Not about the compassion and care required for being a successful doctor. Not even about the years of education it would take to make her dream become reality.

Just that we made slime.

I laughed.

“At least I have one more chance today to impart some wisdom to you…”

What do you hope someone remembers? Out of a speech, something you’re trying to teach, or even your life, what do you want people to remember most?

1 Corinthians 16:21–24
“The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand.
22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.
23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.”

Paul closes out his letter to the believers at Corinth. Most often, he would have had someone writing the letter for him—a secretary of sorts. He shares that this writing is his, by his own hand. These are the words he wants to leave them with. These are the words he wants them to remember the most.

But what does “Anathema Maranatha” mean?

Anathema means “cursed,” doomed to destruction. Without Jesus, they were lost. They had heard about Christ but wanted nothing to do with Him. They despised and rejected Him.

Maranatha means “Our Lord comes.” But more than that, it means the judgment of our Lord is coming.

Paul is reassuring them that the Lord indeed is coming again soon, and when He does, all unrighteousness will be judged.

Here’s Yalanda’s way of paraphrasing: Paul was saying, “Listen, keep doing the work of Christ. Keep sharing the gospel, keep going to spread His name, keep making disciples, keep serving. The Lord is coming, and those that are evil will receive their judgment.”

But that wasn’t all he wanted them to know as he concluded his letter.

Jesus offers grace—not just once at salvation, but for your whole life.

And, most importantly, Paul ends with this:

I love all of you because Jesus loves you.

In all the years I’ve been writing these devotionals, in all the scriptures I’ve tried to help you understand, of all the stories I’ve shared of life and experiences…if you remember anything at all that I’ve shared, remember this:

Jesus has all authority and power. He is coming again soon to judge the unrighteous. Without Him, you’ll be lost forever, facing an eternity in Hell. But today, He offers grace to you—beautiful, unearned, undeserved favor. He opens His arms wide to welcome you, desiring a relationship with you, wanting to walk side by side every day. Because He loves you.

For God so loved the WORLD.

Do you know this? Do you believe this?

Then call on the Lord Jesus. Pray to Him and tell Him you believe it. Open your heart and confess the things He already knows. Repent—turn away from your sin and turn to God. Believe that He has the power to save you in spite of what you’ve done and the past you carry. Know that Jesus loves you.

Know, trust, have faith that His grace is enough. Let it fill you. Allow the Holy Spirit to work in your life. Let Him change you. Let go of the past—the old life, the life that was filled with pain and destruction. Take hold of the new life Christ offers you.

I want to help you learn more about the love Jesus offers, what salvation is all about, what it means to be a part of a church, what baptism is, how to pray, how to study your Bible, and how to grow in your relationship with Jesus.

Go to this website today. It’s just a few minutes of your time, but it’s so worth it. It’s free. Let’s walk together. Let me show you what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Follow.lifeword.org

If you need it in Spanish, go to follow.lifeword.org/spanish.

I’ll see you there.