December 27, 2025 -- Philippians 3:12-14 -- Leaving the past behind, moving forward to Jesus

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12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 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, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 
Philippians 3:12-14 ESV
 
What a statement from Paul! I wonder how often congregants in the various church plants which he started, or to whom he wrote letters of encouragement, knowing all his past sins felt revulsion against his words? He was a Pharisee. He was a murderer, approving the murder of the New Testament’s first martyr, Stephen. He imprisoned many people for their faith in Jesus Christ. I wonder, after his conversion, how many of those people he'd arrested were still languishing in prison? Just because Paul had converted, didn’t mean the people he’d persecuted were now free. In every congregation there’d be people who were furious with him for the family members he'd arrested, grieved because Paul has orchestrated the death of a loved one.
 
In chapters 1 and 2 Paul gave an excellent theology of community, of forgiveness, and then a great reflection on the work of God, which once He’d started it in a believer, He’d see that person’s salvation on to completion. Now Paul himself is exercising such faith and hope. He will not sit in the ashes and depravity of his past. He confesses freely he was the worst of sinners (I Timothy 1:15), but he is not stuck in that label. Because of the great grace of God in his life he can forget what lies behind. He does not let his past rule his future. Saved by the amazing grace of the Father, Who has reconciled Paul to Himself in Christ, he is fueled by the Holy Spirit to move on, confidently knowing his future is bound up in Christ. Therefore, he is focusing on Jesus. Longing for Jesus. Trusting His Father in heaven that Jesus is his all in all.
 
What a glorious salvation that is. No doubt, each one of us has so much baggage from our “before Christ” life. Even as Christians, there are so many things which still weigh us down. There are sins and griefs and broken relationships which are so painful. We are not perfect. We need the forgiveness of God and His healing kindness to us personally, in our families, in our communities, in our churches, in our denominations, among us as denominations and through-out the whole body of Christ. We have not already obtained all that is ours in Christ—but what we have already received is so glorious, and as we meditate on it, we realize it is so hope-inspiring, that we are encouraged all-over-again to press on to make the fullness of life in Christ ever more fully our own.
 
Gracious Father blessed are You! Scripture declares You Faithful to Your children, even though we are often so faithless. Merciful Father, thank You for the rich salvation which is ours in Christ. Covenant-Keeping, Loving Father, thank You for the work of the Holy Spirit Who guards us in Christ and preserves us so that we can persevere in the work of straining forward to the goal of full life in Christ. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/gwHs6zcGxrA?si=8GeGEdcybawNITUw It Is Well with My Soul
 

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