PHILIPPIANS 3:13–15 – Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.
THEME OF THE DAY. THE DEVIL AND OUR PAST. Allow me to open today’s nugget with a question that should be answered by everyone of us with, “Yes, sadly and regrettably, of course, Jim. What human being would honestly be able to say, ‘No, not me?’” The question, “Have you ever said or done something that plagues you with regret that if you could go back you would change?” It may have been an action taken, a conversation had, a relationship fractured, or a sinful lust or desire fulfilled. Every human being has “fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). And when a person becomes a Christian, the past doesn’t go away. Oh, it is forgiven, but it becomes a fertile ground for the fiery darts of accusation from our spiritual foe, the devil – And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God (Revelation 12:10).
In today’s scripture, the Apostle Paul helps us deal with our past, not only the past of regret, but the past of success. He proclaims, “But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13). Paul does not define the “what” of the past which we may apply to not only his regrets, remember he persecuted Christians, to his many successes as a church planter and servant of the Lord. And that approach is good for us in dealing with our pasts.
First, in dealing with our past failures and sins, remember God never accuses or condemns. He convicts and corrects. When the devil brings the weighty accusations of condemnation, run, and hide behind the strong shield of the opening verse of Romans chapter eight – “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). All our past regrets and remorse are cast forever into the sea of God’s non-remembrance” (Hebrews 8:12).
The other side is dealing with our past successes, especially if the Lord has blessed our service for Him. To avoid pride, a sense of personal achievement, and even the temptation to “take a break” since we have served, keep before our minds this truth from the Apostle Paul – But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me (1 Corinthians 15:10). Everything we are and anything we do is a result of grace from start to finish. Guard this mindset for it will keep us humble and allow us to deal with a “positive” path in the right light – All things are from Him, to Him, and for Him. To Him be the glory (Romans 11:36).
Our past. We each have one – the good and the bad. Learn to see it through the lens of God’s amazing grace that deals with all our past in the present and future!
PRAYER: “Father, I praise You that all things work for good even my sinful and foolish past.”
QUOTE: “There are lessons on holiness and humility that may only be taught by our failings.”