- Releasing the Past
Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press toward the goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 3:13-14
Have you ever wished for amnesia? While this routinely occurs in movies, in real life, it is not likely you will forget who you are, or your past. In your journey of faith, learning to remember and release are tools, in the right context, for developing spiritual strength.
Those who encounter the Lord for the first time discover the truth that He forgives failures and sins, putting them as far as the east is from the west and completely banishing them from memory! The challenge arises in this completely divine accomplishment. It is not a human response. God’s unconditional love and mercy for a repentant soul humbles human pride and runs counter to a worldly sense of justice.
People who have received God’s forgiveness recognize they do not deserve it, and they are filled with gratitude. The forces of darkness attempt to use that very blessing, God’s amazing grace, against you! When you focus on the failures and sins of your past, you take on the shame Christ already bore on your behalf. Once you decide to fully accept God’s gift of reconciliation and release what He has already forgotten, you begin to see wonderful new things ahead: “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” (Isiah 43:18-19).
When your past comes to mind, release it and thank God for His great and merciful redemption, and let Him show you new blessings ahead. Pray for the people of the United States to let go of divisions and hurt and accept God’s forgiveness for themselves through Christ, then extend that grace to others. Ask God for governing officials with a vision for new days of blessing to come.
Today’s Verse: Philippians 3:13-14
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.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
