Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but, one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13-14).
Life is a journey. God is the Alpha and the Omega of this journey. He has pre-planned every step from beginning to end (Jeremiah 1:5, Revelation 22:13). He uses some of the most wicked of men to prove He is able to use any and everybody for His Glory. The author of this verse is one such example. Read more in the link below.
Each life has a built-in blueprint. Of course, it would be fantabulous if everyone was allowed to live life as the Inner Voice speaks. However, well-meaning people too often lead those they ‘love’ down paths that are not of God. Typically, I use parents as being most guilty of orchestrating wrong paths. Let’s say a child is born to be the next Chopin; but, the parents have him lined up as the next attorney, in a long line of attorneys in the family.
In this verse, Paul offers an important disclosure. At the time of this writing, he has not mastered his life goal. However, he is on a deliberate quest of attaining a single goal; his highest Divine Purpose.
Unlike too many humans, Paul unapologetically chose to toss any memories of his past sins, as well as, any past transgressions done against him, ‘deep into the sea never to be remembered again’. The quote marks reflect my personal inference as stated from an old Asian proverb.
Those with a reverential respect for God, and repentant heart, can be encouraged that “He forgets our sins as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:11-13).
It’s a genuine blessing to know that when we ask forgiveness, we are forgiven; even when the enemy does everything he can to remind us of our misstep. That said sin always has consequence. Just as parents who genuinely love their children discipline them for misbehaving, so does our Father God in Heaven with loving mercy and grace.
We all know people, and may even have this vice, of not being able to process what forgetting means. Some therapists make their living listening to people, week after week, talk about what some person, living or decades crossed over, did to make their life the wreck that it is.
Anyone who sits with me in consultation soon learns of my belief that nurturing a dead root will not give any new life. We have to die to the past. We have to acknowledge our sins to God, ask forgiveness, and, in repentance trust, by faith that He is faithful to forgive us (1John 1:9).
And, not only do we have to ask forgiveness for our sins; we, emphatically have to forgive others. For, unless we forgive others God will not, cannot forgive us (Matthew 6:15).
If the hair on the back of your neck raises when a certain person comes to mind who caused great harm to you or a family member, this is your lock. The key to opening God’s forgiveness in your life, is you forgiving all humans who you hold unforgiveness towards (Mark 11:25).
No, forgiveness does not mean consequences for bad behavior goes away. Forgiveness is to not be confused with allowing abuse to go undocumented. Forgiveness does not mean welcoming evil, vile, hurtful people back into your life. That’s a whole other discussion for another time.
Forgiveness means exactly this: Letting go of any negativity associated with your hurt; and, putting in its place, focus on the positivities of life. Just know, that God Promises “vengeance belongs to Him; and that He will repay” (Romans 12:19). I believe no sin goes unpunished; however, we have to let God have His Way on how the chastising manifests, not only in our life; but, those who have harmed us; for our overall holistic wellbeing.
It is wise to train the flesh to let go of arrogant anger, even painful hurts by choosing to let the past be what it is: the past. There is no hope of rewriting a past script. You may edit it in future tense; but, what happened, happened. There’s no whitewashing this fact.
In reality, the only thing we can do about past behaviors which we aren’t proud of, is let the memories go into the wind; and renounce your servitude to satan by committing your life to Jesus, receiving Him as Lord and Savior of your life (Romans 10:9).
So, again, forgiving self and forgiving others is crucial to living a toxic-free life. Few things are more freeing than forgiveness. It’s like receiving a clean slate of from this day forward.
We are to have a specific goal on this journey called life. That goal is to be obedient to what God puts in our spirit to do. Jesus teaches that “if today you hear the voice of the Holy Spirit, harden not your heart” (Hebrews 3:7). So much time is wasted in disobedience, when once we hear a task God wants us to do; and, we rationalize it away.
However, the ultimate goal of all saints should be to do as Paul; forget the past, press toward the goal of doing the Will of the Father; to achieve the prize of living in eternal life with God, by the precious Blood of His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.
I leave you with this. Paul was a convert to Christianity; and, was hardly a saint on any level; deeming himself the "worst of sinners" (1Timothy 1:15). In fact, his pre-Christian name was Saul of Tarsus. He was consumed with raging murderous threats against Christians, even searching out followers of Jesus Christ for imprisonment and severe persecution. However, God had a different plan for his life; proof that we should never give up praying that all sinners lost, be saved.
Keep the faith.
Here’s a link if you’d like to read more about the saint, Apostle Paul:
Peace.