Posted: Jan 6, 08 11:57pm
Php 3:13-14 "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
We choose to hang on or we choose to let go. The beginning of a new year always brings fresh hope and resolution from us. About the third week into the month it seems that things that are untoward start popping up at us that weaken our resolves. Paul chooses to instruct us today by his first-hand experience and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
He does not say that every choice he has made in his life has been perfect. He does not say that he never thinks of the past, but instead he enters into the valley of decision and forgets those things that are behind him. He received this revelation from God Almighty Himself. Psa 103:12 "As far as the east is from the west, So far hath He removed our transgressions from us." God becomes totally absent minded after you ask for forgiveness. He grants it, so then don't keep on recalling your bad choice and reliving it over and over again.
Paul tells us to press on. There is a place that we choose to arrive at. That place is either a deep valley where we determine if we remain there barely crawling, or go on to a sunlit mountain top experience with Christ Jesus. He has a new life for you, in fact, He declares we are new creatures in Him. If we choose to cling to the familiar, that state of mind where we will never be good enough to receive the fullness of God's love toward us, we indeed have made a decision to continue dwelling in the valley.
God speaks to us in many ways. We hear something uplifting and we know it is true and meant for us. Then a few hours later, or the next day or next, we are valley dwellers again, saying, "God, how can you forgive me or love me?" He does because He is God. He is not a human that He can lie. He said it and I believe it. I have a new life in Christ and I must war valiantly to keep the enemy of my soul, the devil, from distracting me with negative thoughts. Remember in the Garden of Eden, the serpent misquoted God's Word, Eve believed, and havoc then took over her life.
Now we have an Intercessor, a great High Priest in Jesus, who wants us to receive the fullness of an abundant life and be free to dwell in sun drenched clearings, not valleys. Ultimately we decide if we choose to accept the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus or not. I believe Joshua said it best: Jos 24:15 "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
You have great influence with God, believer. Start choosing for yourself and your house this year. God will meet you on the mountain top. Don't keep Him waiting and don't bring your baggage. You are forgiven in Him.
