Forgiveness.
Brothers and sisters, please forget the past because “We cannot correct, change, or add to the past. We must trust the LORD with our future and improve.” (Sister Faustina 1905-1938) Paul affirmed. “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3: 13-14).
Paul knew that God is our only source of salvation as well as the source of our spiritual growth. The closer we get to completion, the more we realize how much further we must go to become like Christ. So, be encouraged by Paul’s emphasis here by forgetting the past and straining forward to what lies ahead.
Our past mistakes, for example, what should have been done, that was not accomplished. Failed marriages or relationships, children that were left behind because of failed relationships, the physical abuse, the many strips on one’s body, the broken forehead, loosed teeth that needed dental implants, (which has formed gum disease) eye surgeries due to physical abuse, verbal abuse, heart aches that have been tolerated, finances and possessions that were left behind.
We all have a past that affect and control us and our thoughts, but when this is the case, we miss God’s blessings and purposes in our lives.
How much pain and suffering is caused by our being controlled by our past? But we must have a passion, hunger, thirst to daily be more like Christ! “Forget” please we should no longer be influenced or controlled by the past. God’s grace will take us through the consequences of past sin/mistakes. Paul is a perfect example of this truth.
Brothers and sisters, please do not allow past grudges, bitterness to control you, trust God and surrender all to Him, refuse to hold on to it! Hallelujah!
Let go of the past pain. (Philippians 1:20-21) declares “Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in our body.”
Letting go of the past, forgetting the past, can sometimes be difficult, but we are required to let go and forgive, so Christ can be exalted in us.
Unforgiveness causes hinderances, illnesses, unhappiness, hatred and allowing the unclean spirits to dwell in us. Our Lord Jesus asked the Father to forgive those that nailed Him on the cross, “For they no not what they do.” How much more you and me.
The Holy Spirit said in one of my meetings in India. “I am One crying in the wilderness for forgiveness.” The LORD is crying out because He knows the consequences of unforgiveness.
In-order to be like Christ, one must forgive, love your neighbor, have a compassionate heart, be merciful, a caring heart, a forgiving heart, and a loving heart. For we “can do all things through Him who strengthens us.” (Philippians 4:13)
(Ecclesiastes 9:11) declares that “let us know that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but to the one who holds out.” God wants us to keep on striving, keep on trying, and to keep moving on; trying to reach our goal and never give up.
So, we must stay focused, and press on. No matter what we try to do in life, we need the Lord. It is written. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33).
Stay with the Lord, please pray with the word, stay in His word. Hide his word in your heart that you may not sin against God, for the Spirit of God is very tender, easily grieved, and that is His nature.
Prayer:
LORD, please heal my weaknesses, and conquer all evil. Grant that all mankind on earth may experience Your mercy.
AMEN!!