Forgetting

"Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14 TNIV

As we discussed yesterday, Paul does not consider himself as having arrived. He is an apostle and all that, but he understands this life is a process of walking in the Lord with an openness of receiving. This produces, in our relationship in the Lord, an unfolding of Him on a consistent basis - always more - always in newness and refreshment. So he understands position in the Body of Christ is only about function and gifting. It is not about rank. But that is another lesson for another time.

There is one thing he is concentrating on - forgetting the past. If you will review the first part of the chapter, you will see the things he is forgetting. It is all good, very good in fact. It is his heritage, his lineage, his educational and religious placement, on and on. These are things that he is counting as loss and of no value to him now. He is choosing to live in the "today" and its unfolding of Christ in his life and the unfolding of his life in Christ. This is what he is focused on.

Living without any qualification to do anything, except the qualification of belonging to Christ and being appointed by Him for Kingdom movement and development is our life. Whoever we are, and whatever placement our Lord Jesus has given (along with the empowerment and giftedness to accomplish), these are all we count as essential to whatever is before us today. It is a total leaning into His ability in us.

The next phrase is about stretching forward and we will work with that tomorrow, but see that the forgetting is essential. It is essential in our lives of progressive revelation in Him that we hold on to nothing of the past. It is essential that we identity and eliminate all sources of support in our heart -- except the support and care of our Lord. It is essential that no "idols of emotion" be allowed to hamper our steps. No one looking back can walk effectively forward. Have you ever tried that in the natural? I have and promptly stumbled dangerously. So as we process this in our hearts - let us follow and allow Him to be our all in all. That way the next step will be marvelously empowered.

I bless you today, and thanks so for studying with me!