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

 

Pray for our country.

 

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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