Forgetting those things which are behind

Philippians 3:13

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.

None of us could truthfully say that we have apprehended all that the Lord has for us in our Christian journey. We have not apprehended, but are apprehending more every day. We are coming to know Christ better, we are growing in our faith daily, we are progressing in our spiritual life moment by moment. But there is something that may hinder this. There is one thing that we obstruct and thwart our progress. There is one thing that will delay and hinder us from apprehending more for Christ! And no doubt it is the sin of dwelling on the past. Paul said here that he even himself had not apprehended, but there was one thing that He did. “This one thing I do!” he says. If there is nothing else, there is this! I am not perfect, neither have I attained or apprehended all that is mine in Christ, but there is one thing that I have learned, and continue to practice on a daily basis. I have learned, says Paul, to forget those things that are behind, and to reach forth unto those things which are before. Those things which are ahead of me! Those things that I have not come to yet! Those things I am striving for! I press toward the mark! For the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus! Beloved, forget the things which are behind, and reach forth to those that are ahead!

My friend, you will be unable to progress and mature and grow if you are impeded by the specter of the past. It is a ruthless ghost, an insolent enemy. It will haunt and trouble you continually without intermission. It will only hold you in the prison of regret, and will shackle you in a lonely cell of pain, fear, and bitterness. Leave it off! Count it but loss! To know Christ is better! To attain to His plan is infinitely greater! There is much to have in the Christian life—much joy, much peace, much contentment in Christ. All these things are available but held out of reach if our hearts are distracted by the past. With our past in full view, we see nothing else. Those things are behind! There is a prize ahead! There is an incorruptible crown awaiting those who know the Lord and love Him. Forget, forget, forget! And press, press, press! Press toward the mark that you may obtain the prize. What is the prize? No doubt, it is the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord. No doubt, it is the intimate, wonderful, beautiful, and unhindered relationship with our Savior, undisturbed by our past. Get forgiveness, and move past the sins of the past. Lay down the memories, the regrets, and the failures. You have not forfeited the prize, but you must fix your eyes once again upon the prize. It must be in your central focus. And if you will do this, you will see the past fade and grow strangely dim, and the light of Christ’s face and the glory of His love will overshadow your path once again. Press forward! Keep your eyes on the prize!

“Dear Father, we thank you for helping us to lay down the burdens and obstacles that kept us from the deepest knowledge of Christ, and from the great prize of the Christian life that is for our taking. May we eschew and disdain the things that hinder our walk with Christ, our love for Him, and our service to Him. Help us, Lord, to forget the past, and reach forth to what is ahead. You have much for us. And we shall praise you for all that you will do in us and through us. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.”