"Forgetting what is in the Past"

“Forgetting what is in the Past”

 

 

My friends, I don’t feel I have already arrived.  But I forget what is behind, and I struggle for what is ahead.  I run toward the goal, so I can win the prize of being called to heaven.  This is the prize God offers because of what Christ Jesus has done.        Philippians 3:13-14

 

 

In his letter to the Philippian believers, the Apostle Paul uses the analogy of a runner in a race to the life of a TRUE Christian.  Right away, Paul tells his readers that he doesn’t feel that he has ARRIVED, in other words, he doesn’t feel like he has reached the goal and has received his reward for winning his race. 

 

His letter to the Philippian believers was written some thirty years AFTER his conversion.  And after thirty years of his CHRISTIAN life, Paul still feels that he has NOT reached the finish line, but with PERSERVERANCE and a STRONG FAITH, he PRESSES on TOWARD the goal that is BEFORE him.  Paul states that he FORGETS what is behind and struggles for what is AHEAD.

 

If a runner is constantly looking at what is behind them, it will SLOW them down, and they will lose the race, because what is behind could entice them to return to the PAST, after all they know what to expect, but PRESSING on towards what lies AHEAD, the unknown, can be a little un-nerving. 

 

A TRUE Christian’s goal is the same as the Apostle Paul’s, to WIN the prize of being called to heaven, to live for ALL eternity with Jesus Christ, our Lord, with NO MORE, pain, heartache, torment, agony, despair, and persecution, but the release of all these things, and to experience the FULFILLMENT of our FAITH, our HOPE of HEAVEN and ALL its BLESSINGS, which are WAY beyond our comprehension.  To be able to receive our rewards for the milestones we have reached in our RACE toward the GOAL, which our HEAVENLY FATHER has put before us.  And then be able to lay them at the feet of the ONE, who made it ALL possible.

 

Are you in this race?  You can be, if you will turn away from and FORGET the PAST, and PRESS towards the goal that God has put before you.  And leave BEHIND the pain, heartache, torment, agony, and despair that will be the eternal destiny for those who do NOT accept God’s gift of SALVATION.  In order to enter the race, you must come to God with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven making intercession for you, before God, then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and RUN with PERSERVERANCE towards the GOAL to WIN the PRIZE of being called to Heaven.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!