Scripture | “Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead.” Philippians 3:12–13
Observation | Paul has quite the backstory. Religiously zealous through and through. Before Jesus came to him, he was legalistic and self-righteous. Yet after, his zeal could still be seen in how he gave his whole life for truth and grace. So much so that he almost gave his life completely for it multiple times. He endured many trails. Not only near-death beatings, but maybe worse were the church friends who were once on the inside, but ended up forsaking the truth. Perhaps a worse burden yet was that these false teachers began to attempt to lead astray those Paul had labored so much over.
Still, Paul was not tied up with carrying all of these past burdens of failure, betrayal, and worry for his friends. Christ Jesus “laid hold of” Paul bringing him to “perfection” in position at salvation. Yet Paul still worked and looked forward towards this “perfection” though never achieving it. Another translation for the original word for perfection is maturity, which is easier to grasp as we grow and grow but never fully mature in this life. What was his motivation for growing in spiritual maturity toward perfection? “Reaching forward to what lies ahead.” Perfection in both position and practice lied ahead on the day when he reached heavens glory. Seeing with his own eyes the One who bought for Paul that perfection lied ahead (Job 19:25-27).
What motivated Paul to not look back was a desire to look forward and see where he was going. He knew complete freedom from sin and the curse was a reality set before him. He kept his eyes on this and didn’t look back (Luke 9:62; 17:32-37).
Application | No one can run while looking backwards for long. So too when we dwell on what has happened in the past we will get tripped up in the present. Are there sins you’ve been forgiven of and been set free from you need to let go of the guilt of? Are there sins against you that need to be forgiven so you can see clearly to move forward? How often are your thoughts directed toward the past? What in the past do you need to intentionally “forget?”
Meditating and memorizing scripture is the most powerful way to replace the fleshly waste(s) of time of dwelling in the past. Do it today, and know the power of God’s Word. Let it cause you to reach forward in godliness towards maturity (aka perfection) in Jesus Christ.
Prayer | Father, if I am honest the events of my past take up residence in my mind to often. I spend too much time thinking of what has happened in the past, instead of concentrating on what is happening in the present. Give me the strength to evict whatever has taken up residence in my mind. Let me learn from the past, but begin to join Paul in “forgetting what lies behind.” Let the new residence in the thoughts of my mind be Your powerful Word and all that I have to look forward to because of Your Son. For your glory alone. Amen.
