SUB-THEME: PRINCIPLES OF UNLIMITED ADVANCEMENT AND ALL-ROUND FRUITFULNESS
TOPIC: FORGETTING WHAT LIES BEHIND...
TEXT: Phil. 3:13-14
Apostle Paul shares one of the secrets of his progress in life: “But one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal…” (Phil. 3:13-14). Here is a very critical lesson for every Christian who wants to advance in life.
All of us have in our lives “what lies behind.” This includes past failures, mockery, poor family background, poor academic background, scars of sin, failures in investments, and so on. As a matter of fact, “what lies behind” also involves past successes, past glories, and past exploits. Clinging to these could make one not see the need to press on.
Apostle Paul had a combination of pleasant and painful pasts. On the painful side, he persecuted Christians to the point of imprisonment. He literally fought against the name (Acts 9:4–8). On the other side, he enjoyed deeper fellowship with and revelations of the Lord beyond human imagination (2 Cor. 12:1-6). But because there was a “future” to pursue, he put all these aside. He continued to press on. To press on simply means to push forward in spite of challenges. Success is possible only for those who refuse to be discouraged in spite of circumstances but continue to push forward no matter what comes their way.
Beloved in Christ, in view of God’s promise of unlimited advancement and all-round fruitfulness this year, let us, like Paul, put aside all that lies behind. Even if you think you have already arrived, there is still room for improvement. Empty yourself today. Come before the Lord in humility. Tell Him to purge you of anything capable of hindering your advancement. You will experience unlimited advancement and all-round fruitfulness.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I open my heart to you. Purge me of anything that could hinder my progress. Give me strength to press on, no matter the circumstances around me. Help me to continue to advance until I reach the height you have ordained for me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
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