Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended "or laid hold of" but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.
14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
This is Paul writing to the Philippians, telling them basically he has counted all his gains in life as loss for the one true thing in life that has any worth Jesus Christ. He then says in verse 13 I haven't arrived yet, or I'm not perfect but one thing I do is strive towards forgetting the things which are behind and pressing for the prize of Jesus.
In Paul's life it was probably very difficult for him making the transition into the Kingdom of God and becoming like Christ because of his past. He not only did regrettable things but those regrettable things involved killing and persecuting Christians. I'm sure he even attended churches where he had killed peoples brothers or sisters. But take Paul's life as an example that if we repent and turn from our sins we are a new creation and old has passed away. Now look to verse 20
Philippians 3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
It does not matter what we have done in the past, after we repent we have to same right and are citizens of heaven. There is no levels to heaven, your either in or out and the only way there is through Jesus Christ who was perfect and sacrificed his life so we can be forgiven. Just remember to put those things which are in the past behind you and press toward the prize of Jesus Christ.
No comments:
Post a Comment