Forgetting What Lies Behind
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Forgetting What Lies Behind
Philippians 3:13-14
…one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Absolutely everyone who hears about salvation in Jesus Christ has received an “upward call of God”. One might not think of it as such and some will claim God has never called them, but each hearing of the gospel is always a nudge from God to accept His invitation to have all of our sins forgiven.
Everyone who knows even the least little bit about Jesus has received this “upward call”. Many do not pay any attention to it and others mock it. But, there are many who do pay attention and seek to learn more.
As Paul says in Philippians, there is a prize for all who accept God’s “upward call”. The prize is eternal life and Paul says he is “reaching forward” and pressing on towards the goal of getting that prize.
When someone offers us a gift, it’s not ours until we reach out and accept it. Our heavenly Father is really very persistent in offering us this “upward call”. We might misunderstand it sometimes. We might not feel worthy of accepting the gift of full forgiveness of all of our sins. We might even think the free gift of salvation is impossible because one needs to be perfect before they can enter heaven.
Whatever our faulty reasoning is, in love, God still presents to us His “upward call”. All things are possible with the LORD. He knows what He can give us. And He loves us so dearly that He keeps on urging us to accept His “upward call”.
That is why it is so vital for us to forget “what lies behind”. In the past we’ve been rebellious, done a lot of dumb things, been stubborn, and a lot of other unmentionables. And Satan will throw that in our face all the time, claiming we are not worthy of eternal life.
But, Paul, with all of his sins, boldly says he trusts God’s word and will obey by “forgetting what lies behind”.
We are being offered such a great treasure in the salvation of Jesus Christ. We need to trust God, reach out to our Lord, and accept His free gift. That would be the polite thing to do since the LORD is our Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer. Without God we’re nothing. With God we have eternal life, freedom, and more glory than the human tongue can tell.
Let us face reality and forget “what lies behind”, so that we can live in God and open up our hearts to let Him live in us. In Christ we have peace.
As we really listen to our Lord’s loving upward call, let us joyfully accept it and say, “Hallelujah! Lord, thank You for persistently loving us and calling us. Guide us in following You the rest of our lives here.”
Love,
Margaret
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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods
This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 18:30
Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming to the upright.
Psalm 33:1
How blessed are those who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4
Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1
Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3
Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12
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