Forgetting The Past
“No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” - Philippians 3:13-14
For many of you, reading this title immediately brings up an opinion. It might be an opinion influenced by optimism, as that is what you have tried to do for so long. For others, it might be an opinion influenced by pessimism. You might be saying, “Well pastor that is easier said than done.”
Regardless of what your opinion is on the past, regardless of what your experiences are in the past, good or bad, Paul gives us the blueprint for “running the race, pressing toward the goal, and receiving the prize” at the end.
In Philippians 3:13-14, Paul says, “No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”
Now, you might be saying, “Pastor, you don’t know what happened in my past. You don’t know what I’ve done or what has been done to me.” And that is true, I might not. But do you know what Paul did? Paul KILLED Christians. He was a murderer. He hated those who followed God. And yet, God used him in some amazing ways.
Do you think Paul could have achieved all that he did and influenced all the people he did if was hung up on the mistakes of his past? I would say absolutely not. And the same goes for you. If you want to pursue the will of God, you must forget the past. This does not mean completely forgetting, but instead not focusing on the past and looking towards where God is leading you.
Like Paul, you cannot change the past; that is history. But you can write the future, and God wants to lead you there! “Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race!”
For many of you, reading this title immediately brings up an opinion. It might be an opinion influenced by optimism, as that is what you have tried to do for so long. For others, it might be an opinion influenced by pessimism. You might be saying, “Well pastor that is easier said than done.”
Regardless of what your opinion is on the past, regardless of what your experiences are in the past, good or bad, Paul gives us the blueprint for “running the race, pressing toward the goal, and receiving the prize” at the end.
In Philippians 3:13-14, Paul says, “No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”
Now, you might be saying, “Pastor, you don’t know what happened in my past. You don’t know what I’ve done or what has been done to me.” And that is true, I might not. But do you know what Paul did? Paul KILLED Christians. He was a murderer. He hated those who followed God. And yet, God used him in some amazing ways.
Do you think Paul could have achieved all that he did and influenced all the people he did if was hung up on the mistakes of his past? I would say absolutely not. And the same goes for you. If you want to pursue the will of God, you must forget the past. This does not mean completely forgetting, but instead not focusing on the past and looking towards where God is leading you.
Like Paul, you cannot change the past; that is history. But you can write the future, and God wants to lead you there! “Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race!”
Free Email Devotional - Sign Up Now
Recent
Archive
2025
January
Why Me?Ordinary but ChosenYour Past Prepares You for God's FutureWhy Not Me?The Burden of PreparationIt’s Bigger Than YouJust Show UpAnchored in PrayerBreakthrough Was Always God's PlanWaiting on Your BreakthroughTransformative Power of PrayerThe Art of PrayerThe God of BreakthroughKryptoniteLifelineThe Dare of DependenceWho Needs Your Prayers?Soaring in PrayerObedience Through PrayerThe Power of Prayer in Overcoming TemptationIs Your Heart Prepared for God's Mighty Work?The Joy of SimplicityPatient in Affliction, Faithful in PrayerBurning PrayersWhile You Wait...He WorksChoosing His Will with Free WillEquipped for Victory: Overcoming Sin from WithinEverydayThe Great I AMSaying Yes to GodOrdinary People, Extraordinary God
February
Freedom from LabelsFaithful Before the AppointmentLabels Don’t Define YouPut Off the ArmorRun Your Own RaceA Champion, Not a ContestantThe Story’s Not OverWhat Really MattersWinning the Battle WithinYou Are Positioned for a PurposeYour Worth Is SetYou Are EnoughTake Off the MaskOn Purpose, For a PurposeKnown. Loved. Enough.What Are You Afraid of Losing?What Are You Trying to Hide?What Are You Still Trying to Prove?What Are You Chasing?Stop Faking ItAre You Living in Fear?Stop Hiding Behind FearLive in God’s Truth
2024
January
One Step at a TimeTrusting in the UnseenThe Path of True RepentanceThe Consequences of SinWhen Are You Going to Change?Short-Term Satisfaction vs. Long-Term RewardsWhat Has God Called You to Do?The Danger of Ignoring God's CallingThe Abundance Beyond ObedienceResting in His RhythmLetting God Work While We RestFaith Under ConstructionThe Purpose in WaitingAgainst the GrainNot of This WorldGuidance in ConflictEmbracing Grace in RejectionEternal InvestmentsImpatient Choices, Lasting ConsequencesGod's Timing in RelationshipsDivine Delays in CareersIn Pursuit of God's TimingIn His ImageAnchored in God's VerdictImmersed in His LoveA Heart Full of ThanksPerspective ShiftStrength in UnityExpressing SelflessnessGoing All In on God's Calling
February
Exceedingly, Abundantly BeyondUnraveling the Strength Within WeaknessBeyond Human StrengthUnfailing FaithfulnessIgnoring The SignalsBlessings in Obedience to God's WillWhen God's Plans Are Different Than YoursTrusting the Unseen PathDivine ConnectionsPurposeful Impact in Others' LivesAnswering the Call to Show UpFinding All You Need in GodValor in the Face of FearObedience Over ComfortAnswering God's CallTrusting God One Step at a Time
No Comments