Forgetting What is Behind
But one thing I do: 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.
Philippians 3:13-14
Paul states in the above verse that he forgets what is behind, but the Lord tells us to remember what he has done for us. Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me. (Isaiah 46:9) Here God is telling the Israelites to remember what God has done for them in the past. Are we supposed to remember things in the past that will move us to victory in the future?
God wants us to never forget his love by remembering what he has done for us. Remembering his blessings and how he has brought us this far in life, even if do not walk with the Lord he sustains our life and is always reaching out to save us. The longer we walk with the Lord, following his divine will; the stronger our faith becomes, because we have experienced a fulfilling victorious life serving the Lord. This motivates us to move confidentially into the future because we know he loves us and is always with us.
Satan wants us to live in the past remembering our past mistakes and sins because this can put fear in our hearts to move into the future. If we live in the past we tend to retain old bad habits such as anger, unforgiveness, defensive behavior, jealously, insecurity, or anything else Satan uses against us. If we are not continually growing in Christ, getting closer to the Lord, learning more of his ways, and becoming more involved in God’s family, then we are essentially walking away from the Lord, because we are lukewarm. So, because you are lukewarm–neither hot nor cold–I am about to spit you out of my mouth. (Revelations 3:16)
We may think we are pleasing to God but we are really complacent or lukewarm. This is what happens when we are not pressing on toward the goal. Life serving the Lord is pressing on seeking opportunities to point people to Christ. Life with the Lord is exciting as he opens doors for us to minister to people, bringing new people, new places, and new challenges. If we live in the past there want be any doors opened because we are not actively seeking to serve the Lord. The Lord wants people that are eager to learn and serve him, and are proactive in seeking opportunities to serve him. The Lord has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men To see if there are any who understand, Who seek after God. (Psalm 14:2) Seek after the Lord!
Today seek after the Lord by listening to the Spirit and showing Christ-like behavior to everyone. Leave the bad habits of the past behind and walk as a new creation in Christ. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17) Remember the old life style with its bad habits is gone and the new is hear; so live for the future, live for eternity.
Prayer: Lord help me to forget anything in the past that will hinder me from serving with love and confidence. Guide me into the future through the Spirit with your love, peace, and joy. Take away all fear from Satan and replace it with your perfect love. Lord I am comforted knowing you are in control of all things and that you are protecting my soul for eternal life in heaven. Thank you Lord! In Jesus name, Amen