Forgetting The Past And Pressing Toward The Goal

Philippians 3:8-14

Many people have, at one time or another, made a resume.  They list the jobs and positions they have held, their accomplishments, and all of their education. Everyone wants to present themselves in the best possible light, especially if they wish to impress someone for a new job or advancement in their position. They are proud of their education, proud of their accomplishments.

The Apostle Paul would have had a very impressive resume. Growing up as a devout Jewish man, he had all of the accomplishments that such a man would wish.  He was born around 5 AD, of pure Jewish heritage, with no gentile blood. He had a prestigious Jewish education under the great rabbi, Gamaliel, and strictly followed the teachings of the Pharisees (Philippians 3:5; Acts 22:3). As a proud and faithful Pharisee, he even persecuted early Christians, supporting their execution. All things a devout Jewish man would be proud of. Then, following his conversion to the Lord Jesus, he devoted the remainder of his life spreading the message of salvation all across the Mediterranean. Indeed, Paul’s resume would have been very impressive.

Paul knew he had excellent credentials and accomplishments, both before he was saved and after, yet he knew they were nothing.  He needed Jesus. That is why Paul counted all things a loss compared to knowing Jesus (vs. 8). Everything Paul had ever done, and it was a lot, was nothing. It was a loss, compared with knowing Christ.  Our relationship with Jesus is more important than anything else. Knowing Him more should be our ultimate goal.  To “know” Christ is not meaning to have intellectual knowledge of Him. It means to know experientially or personally, a shared life with Christ. Everything else was garbage to Paul.

No amount of keeping religious laws or efforts can make us right with God. Our righteousness comes only from God, by trusting in Jesus Christ (vs. 9). Any thinking that righteousness comes from keeping religious laws is proud self-righteousness, external morality, and religious rituals.  It is produced by the flesh, and cannot save us from sin. Paul gave up everything that he had achieved in his life prior to coming to Christ, in order to know Him and His resurrection (vs. 10-11). Paul knew that knowing Jesus was more than worth the sacrifice of anything he gave up.  For those who have accepted Jesus as Savior, His crucifixion marks the death of their old sinful nature. By raising Himself from the dead, Jesus displayed His power over both the physical and spiritual worlds. His resurrection gives believers Jesus’ power to live for Him (vs. 10-11).

Paul pursued sanctification, living his life for Christ, with all of his might.  He pressed on to win the prize. We should not let anything take our eyes off of our goal of knowing Christ (vs. 12).  Lay aside everything harmful and everything that distracts us from growing as a Christian, just like an athlete does when training.  Paul did this by forgetting the things of the past (vs. 13-14). He wanted one thing in life, and that was to be like Christ. He was not going to rely on past virtuous deeds and achievements, or to dwell on his sins or failures. That is an example we should follow, as well. We can’t dwell on the past, either our accomplishments, victories, or defeats. Paul tells us to forget what is behind. This included for Paul forgetting the wrongs done against him. He didn’t keep a “hate list”, and neither should we.

What if we’ve done some rather bad things in our past?  Wouldn’t that stop us from serving Jesus? Paul didn’t let his past, including his persecution of Christians, to stop his work for Jesus.  Our hope is in Christ. We can let go of past guilt and look forward to what God will help us become. To best accomplish this we need to concentrate on our relationship with Jesus now.  As believers, we are forgiven. Move on in faith and obedience, and keep moving forward and making progress.