Dear Daily Message Readers,
READ: Philippians 3
Philippians 3:17 (NASB) "Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us."
Dr. Warren Wiersebe once wrote, "Do not say, 'Why were the former days better than these?' You do not move ahead by constantly looking in a rear view mirror. The past is a rudder to guide you, not an anchor to drag you. We must learn from the past but not live in the past."
This quotation is exactly right. It is human nature to want to hold on to things that once were. Whether a past relationship, experience with a group, or a job, living in the past is something we just long to do. But in Philippians 3, we see that the Paul made the choice spiritually to look to the future and move on. His past, with its success and its shame, he chose to forget. What mattered to him most was keeping his eyes on the goal of gaining Christ's approval (3:14).
That kind of mindset is one sure mark of Christian maturity that many people never realize. It is what God's Holy Spirit is working to develop in our lives every day (3:13-15). Granted, we can't forget our past, but we don't have to live in it. When we must remember that when we confess our sins, they are buried in the deepest depths because of what Christ did for us on the cross (Romans 5:8). And He doesn't want us to keep scouring them up day after day.
What's more, even though we experience letdowns in our Christian walk, we never come to the place where there is no room for growth. This is another lesson we can learn from today's Bible reading. Again in 3:15, we see that Paul describes himself as spiritually mature. However, he also declared that he wasn't at all perfect (3:12). He was aiming for the goal of being like Christ, whether he was enjoying an easy day or an enduring problem. He knew that attaining the goal of Christ-likeness through the Spirit's sanctification takes a lifetime.
So what do you choose? Do you choose to hold on to the past , or do you choose to move on in growth with Christ in the future to truly become the Christian He wants you to be? Take the road less traveled--seek the Lord and allow Him to shape your future. Faith Lesson: If you want to grow in your faith, then you can't keep looking back. To make spiritual progress, you must keep "[pressing] on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (3:14).
In Christ,
Darin Smith
READ: Philippians 3
Philippians 3:17 (NASB) "Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us."
Dr. Warren Wiersebe once wrote, "Do not say, 'Why were the former days better than these?' You do not move ahead by constantly looking in a rear view mirror. The past is a rudder to guide you, not an anchor to drag you. We must learn from the past but not live in the past."
This quotation is exactly right. It is human nature to want to hold on to things that once were. Whether a past relationship, experience with a group, or a job, living in the past is something we just long to do. But in Philippians 3, we see that the Paul made the choice spiritually to look to the future and move on. His past, with its success and its shame, he chose to forget. What mattered to him most was keeping his eyes on the goal of gaining Christ's approval (3:14).
That kind of mindset is one sure mark of Christian maturity that many people never realize. It is what God's Holy Spirit is working to develop in our lives every day (3:13-15). Granted, we can't forget our past, but we don't have to live in it. When we must remember that when we confess our sins, they are buried in the deepest depths because of what Christ did for us on the cross (Romans 5:8). And He doesn't want us to keep scouring them up day after day.
What's more, even though we experience letdowns in our Christian walk, we never come to the place where there is no room for growth. This is another lesson we can learn from today's Bible reading. Again in 3:15, we see that Paul describes himself as spiritually mature. However, he also declared that he wasn't at all perfect (3:12). He was aiming for the goal of being like Christ, whether he was enjoying an easy day or an enduring problem. He knew that attaining the goal of Christ-likeness through the Spirit's sanctification takes a lifetime.
So what do you choose? Do you choose to hold on to the past , or do you choose to move on in growth with Christ in the future to truly become the Christian He wants you to be? Take the road less traveled--seek the Lord and allow Him to shape your future. Faith Lesson: If you want to grow in your faith, then you can't keep looking back. To make spiritual progress, you must keep "[pressing] on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (3:14).
In Christ,
Darin Smith
