Leaving Behind Pressing Forward

“10That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
12Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13Brethren, 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, 14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 3:10-14)

Introduction: Some things we need to FORGET, like our old sins! But some things we need to REMEMBER. We need to REMEMBER where we are going, who we are, and what Jesus has done in us, and has promised to do through us.

1. Who we are in Christ! (Eph 1:3-7)

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.”

Certainly, we have a NEW IDENTITY in Jesus Christ. Therefore we have a NEW SECURITY in Him.

2. Where are we going? (Heb 13:14)

“For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.”

The New Jerusalem is in the future for all believers in Jesus Christ (see Rev 21,22).

3. What has Jesus done? (Col 2:13-15)

“And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”

Praise the Lord! Some people’s religion is… Do. But for the CHRISTIAN it’s… Done by Jesus. Now that does not mean passivity on the part of believers. Instead, it means cooperation under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Conclusion: Now you see why Paul could say, “I press on to the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Press on.
 
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese