When I fail, I struggle to forget. When others fail, I struggle to forget. Satan has a way of dangling things over my mind, like dangling a banana for a monkey. I’m naturally inclined to snatching the thoughts and consuming them rather than praying, quoting scriptures, and singing spiritual hymns.
I suppose the apostle Paul struggled with this as well. In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, chapter three provides much insight into Paul’s dilemma. Paul’s righteousness, like ours, is through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul realizes he is not perfect but strives to follow and seek to apprehend Christ, who has caught Him.
Though Paul has not seized all He would like of Christ; he decides to do one thing. Paul is determined to forget the things behind him and reach forth to those things that were before. Paul presses toward the mark. He knows he has a high calling of God in Christ Jesus. As expressed in Paul’s writings, his mark was to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ and that this high calling was of God in Christ Jesus.
Shipwrecked, beaten, and thrown in prison bound by stocks and chains did not stop Paul from his calling. Neither did the fact he had persecuted Christians. He aggressively served papers, causing believers to be imprisoned and sentenced, sometimes to death. He also approved the fatal stoning of Stephen as he watched him die for preaching Christ. I often wonder which wounds hindered Paul more, those he inflicted on others or those inflicted upon him by others.
I struggle with both. I disappoint myself when I fall prey to Satan’s schemes by overreacting and wounding others. Guilt and condemnation plague me. When I’m wounded by harsh words, deceptive actions, and gossip, Satan is sure to rehash it all to hinder my mind from moving forward.
Paul reminds us to follow the same rules he set for himself.
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians
Paul gives further instructions to reach this goal:
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
Casing down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. 2 Corinthians 10:4-6
In other words, forget the past, catch your hindering thoughts, and obey God’s Word.
Lord, help me not forget your word, but obey and remove all hindering thoughts so I might forget it!
A wonderful message to begin the New Year, Lisa! Thank you. I also have a hard time forgetting and forgiving failure. I’m my own worst critic. Praying for both of us, that God will grant us the gifts of patiencesm tolerance, mercy, and forgiveness, for ourselves and others. Wishing you much joy and continued blessings in 2025.