Forgetting what lies behind!

(Philippians 3:13) “…forgetting what lies behind…”

There is much talk in today’s society amongst the general population about the importance of counseling, a therapist or psychiatrist is thought by many to be an important part of one’s life, especially when times are tough. They have had some amazing results or so it would seem. I will not look to debate whether or not we as Christians should seek out the world's counsel, the answer should be rather obvious. If we are new creatures in Christ, then we need to seek those things which come from above. We need to find direction from like-minded people.

Let us go back in time; would the Zulu king, “Shaka” have gone to the white man when seeking counsel knowing that they were the enemy? Never! They were at war!  I have realized that true Christianity opposed to nominal Christianity is worlds apart. This is where the war will be most ferocious. Close quarter battle in the dark of night with some uncertainty of who is in front of us. Tough times are on their way. So then let us be sure to use God’s armory and not the worlds.

When we seek out counsel on any given subject, let us make sure we go to those of the household of God and not to the world’s counselors. Why Not? Their agenda is for the here and now, but we seek a heavenly kingdom, an eternity in the presence of the only true God. Ultimately all counsel from the enemy will never be advantageous but detrimental. That may sound a little cultish or extreme, but here is the principle left us by the Apostle Paul; “When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life! So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church? I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers? To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?” (1Corinthians 6:1-7)

I am aware that this portion of scripture specifically pertains to disputes amongst one another, but it is the principle I look to establish and I hope that is seen. If we make any decisions in life and we do it without God’s counsel, no matter how wise we may seem in our own eyes, we will suffer loss!

Why do people seek out trained counsellors? They obviously have a need and want it secured. No one likes unnecessary hardship! But because of client therapist privileges, for these sessions to be successful, there has to be brutal honesty. This is then my thought and concern this morning; am I openly honest with my Father in every area of my life or do I look to pull one over? Is there some form of denial in my life to accommodate my sin? God forbid I settle here if that be the case; this then a very serious consideration. Paul tells us; “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.” (Philippians 3:13-15)

I am instructed to forget my blunders as I have already suffered loss though many bad choices in life. I must now press on and do the right thing; I must find obedience to God’s Word for my life as time is short. But do I pretend that all is well when I still harbour parts of my old life? You see, we can say we have forgotten those things behind us only if they are truly behind us. If not we lie to ourselves!

Here then is my question; are we brutally honest with our God even if it hurts us to think about certain parts in our lives that are so far from God’s character that we harbour it, pretending to ourselves? We can hide nothing from our heavenly Father, in fact He know what we think before we even think it. Let us therefore resolve from this day forth to be totally honest about every though and every intention. God help us to be more like Jesus Christ our Lord in every area of our lives. Only then will we be able with Paul to say, “forgetting what lies behind”, then only will we be free to press forward to what lies ahead with true vigour.

This then is the encouragement; “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1Peter 5:6-11) 

   

Signing off

Tyrone