Moving Forward 

Philippians 3:13-16 ESV

“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. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.”

Paul is making a point to the church at Philippi, His regrets that a majority of his life was believing in a salvation of works, not grace. He thought because of his birthright, being born a Jew, salvation was automatic. He THOUGHT he was keeping the law to the fullest extent, and obeying the law fully, which was completely wrong, as he found out.

So, in the light of this revelation, every day he put the past behind and stretched forward to what lay ahead, to attain a new walk with Christ. His prize was the salvation of his own soul and the salvation of lost souls. He said at that point his quest was seeking the lost and telling them the truth about God the Father’s grace and mercy. Now he was looking forward to the time when he would be with Jesus forever.

He urged the church and us as well, that we should be of the same mind and heart. Forget what has past, those things that keep us from moving forward in Christ Jesus.

For clarity of what to remember and what to forget, verse sixteen says, “Only let us hold true to what we have attained.”

Remember what has given us strength, patience, endurance, courage and made us strong in Jesus. Forget the things that tried to trip us up, keep us down, and the things that tried to keep us from moving forward.

Prayer:

Lord, we enter into a new year this week. Some will say that it is just a date, all things will continue as they are, but we say there are new hopes and dreams ahead. New opportunities, no conquests, healings, restorations, blessings untold. We will forget the things that tried to hold us back from receiving all that You have for us. We press on to greater revelations, greater promises, new hopes and dreams, even new beginnings. In Your name precious Savior, we dedicate this new year to You, Amen!