S) "13 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, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 3:13-14 (NASB)
O) Keeping things in context, I do not think Paul means that he forgets all things behind him. This is not about living in denial, or forgetting what's happened to him. Earlier in this chapter, Paul was reminding the church that if anyone had a right to have confidence in their flesh (that is, who they were apart from Christ), it was Paul himself (vv.4-6). But, as Paul reminds them (and himself) of his own loss for the sake of gaining Christ, he comes to the words above, to note that who he was is behind him and he's given up on it. He is no longer pursuing what he used to value. He is instead, pursuing the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. He is pursuing the righteousness that comes by faith, that brings us to glorification and perfection in Christ.
A) Sometimes, I try to remember things and I just can't recall them. Sometimes it's trivial, and sometimes it's work-related. Sometimes, I can't remember what I did with an important piece of paper. Because of this, it's easy to think that forgetting is a passive thing that happens to me. But, just like God can choose to forget my sins, I can choose to forget the things that used to matter before I was in Christ. I can forget my selfish ambition. I can forget my arrogance. I can forget obsessing about hobbies that were idols, or the lusts of my flesh. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength, even the strength to forget.
P) Father, forgive me for acting like I'm the same man I used to be. Through the gospel, I am to put on the new man. Help me to forget what lies behind in order to reach forward to what lies ahead. I cannot go where You are taking me, if I am wrapped up in my old pursuits, the old man. Help me to mindfully and purposely press on toward the upward calling of life in Christ, until I am perfected on the day I am glorified with Him. Let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven, and continue to discipline me until I am the son You desire me to be. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
A) Sometimes, I try to remember things and I just can't recall them. Sometimes it's trivial, and sometimes it's work-related. Sometimes, I can't remember what I did with an important piece of paper. Because of this, it's easy to think that forgetting is a passive thing that happens to me. But, just like God can choose to forget my sins, I can choose to forget the things that used to matter before I was in Christ. I can forget my selfish ambition. I can forget my arrogance. I can forget obsessing about hobbies that were idols, or the lusts of my flesh. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength, even the strength to forget.
P) Father, forgive me for acting like I'm the same man I used to be. Through the gospel, I am to put on the new man. Help me to forget what lies behind in order to reach forward to what lies ahead. I cannot go where You are taking me, if I am wrapped up in my old pursuits, the old man. Help me to mindfully and purposely press on toward the upward calling of life in Christ, until I am perfected on the day I am glorified with Him. Let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven, and continue to discipline me until I am the son You desire me to be. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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