Philippians - Forgetting (Lesson 6 - Post 2)

Philippians 3: 12 - 16

As we consider these beautiful verses again, today focus your attention on Paul's comments about "forgetting what is behind." 

To what degree would you say your past dictates your behaviors and choices in your present?  We are all shaped by our pasts.  Paul has been.  Our family of origin, our experiences, our training, our failures and our successes all contribute to the way we react and make decisions in our present ... which effects our future.

Paul said,

"Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

Obviously, forgetting is not some kind of mind-zap that eradicates memory from us.  But it is getting to a place where the experience or memory no longer controls behaviors.  It means the past does not dictate my choices or my direction in the "now".  Paul had much to "forget".  For one thing, he had to refrain from despair over the way he zealously persecuted Christians before he knew the Lord - the way he pursued believers in his effort to squash faith in Jesus - the day he stood by watching and supporting those who stoned Stephen to death because of his faith in Jesus  (Acts 7: 54 - 8:1).  Those failures could have paralyzed Paul.  He had to "forget".

Paul also had to "forget" the exalted place of special revelation that had been granted to him by God  (2 Corinthians 12: 1 - 6).  That remarkable place could lead one to conceit and arrogance!  So Paul chose to "forget" it.

Now think of your own life.  Are there failures that you are allowing power over your present?  Can you get so depressed over past failure that you find yourself paralyzed in the today?  Perhaps fear of making the same mistakes keeps you from stepping out in your faith.  Paul encourages us to "forget" it!  Confess the sin ... repent and turn around ... and press on.  God is faithful and forgives the confessed sin, holding it against you no more!  (1 John 1:9)  Remember - that's why Jesus went to the cross!  Do you believe God?   

Or perhaps you tend to relish and live in past successes?  This is the "good old days" mindset that keeps us from living in the today - from pressing on into our future with anticipation and hope. This is remembering past spiritual high places - not to thank God for them, to celebrate His hand in them - but to believe that nothing will ever be as good again.  Paul encourages us to "forget" it! 

I love the image of a rear view mirror in our cars.  A rear view mirror is important.  So is your past.  Check it out occasionally.  Learn from the errors - celebrate the successes.  But never try to drive focused on the rear view mirror.  You will crash!  You drive by looking forward.  You also live best by, in Paul's words, "pressing on to the goal for which God has called us heavenward." 

Let's take Paul's words to heart today.  Forget your past ... press on into your future.  It is glorious if it is nestled in the life of Christ Jesus our Lord.  That doesn't mean it will be easy ... but it will be glorious.   To the praise of God the Father!