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Philippians 3:13: Forgetting What Lies Behind And Straining Forward


Philippians 3:13
[13] 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, (ESV)

The Apostle Paul is a hero of mine. I am fairly certain that we all have particular Bible characters that we are drawn to. Their life inspires us. Perhaps, for you it is the courage of a young David and his defeat of the giant Goliath. Maybe you are drawn to the faithfulness of Daniel who would rather be fed to lions than defy his God. For me, it is Paul.

Like many of the heroes in the pages of Scripture they are flawed characters. David, while being the apple of God's eye, also had a problem with lust and murder. Peter, who was the leader of the Church at Jerusalem, had denied Jesus in his darkest hour. How about the Apostle Paul? The truth is, he had his flaws. He describes them in his letter to Timothy:

1 Timothy 1:13
[13] though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, (ESV)

The reality is this: We all have failed our God. Every hero in Scripture is imperfect. Paul is a student of the history of Israel, being taught under the Pharisee Gamaliel. He knows all of the failings of those who ultimately lived godly lives. And he has discovered an important secret. He forgets what lies behind and strains forward to what lies ahead.

Do you want to live a life of victory for God? Forget the past failings. Look ahead to Christ. He is the author and finisher of your faith.

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