...never look back

Thinking about if only you had done something different. Not said those words. If you had actually done something instead of just standing by. Would not life had been better if I turned from my distasteful ways sooner.  There are too many memories I shudder at and wish they would go away. If only I could change things and not have done the damage.

New Years day seems to be always one of compilation. The Sunday sermon delivered could not have been more timely or needed. Just two verses out of Philippians chapter 3, but oh so much power. The main truth?

Never look back.


Paul didn't look back, but if anyone did he had a good excuse too.

Paul one of the greatest New Testament believers. Before that... a man who persecuted and killed innocent people for their faith. Did he sometimes here the children's screams because he had murdered their parents? Were the looks of pain and fear edged into his mind? Could he vividly still hear the rocks pounding upon Steven while Paul stood by and held the coats of the stone throwers?

All those memories would have been enough to put anyone into a state of dark depression unable to function, because of the very guilt that dripped from their lives. Paul could have let that happen, but then where would have been his ministry?

Nonexistent

Paul lived under the grace of God knowing He was free in Christ. Today as believers we see Paul's writing inspired to him by the Holy Spirit as some of the most powerful doctrinal truth's ever written. Paul was probably one of the greatest influences on the struggling New Testament churches. All because he didn't look back, but instead focused on his present ministry.

Tempting is it to look back and cover ourselves in guilt. When we are looking back at our regrets how many times do we miss something in our present ministry?

Don't look back only remember that God has worked in His grace and our job is to do the ministry set before us.

 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 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,
(Philippians 3:12-13 ESV)