looking ahead

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:14

The Scripture verse just before the one I quoted at the top of this page says to forget those things which are behind, and instead reach forth to the things that are ahead. And God knows how I want to forget the “dark parts” of my life when bad things happened and people got hurt.

I know from my own experience that Satan will try to do everything possible to keep me focused on the past. This is how he keeps multitudes in anguish and bondage. He uses the feelings of guilt, condemnation and regret, as these negative influences can cause a person to become depressed and filled with despair.

And if an individual has done many reprehensible acts, as I have, it will be normal then to have guilt and regret, and to sense the convicting ability of the Holy Spirit as He exposes sin. But in Christ, however, when I tell Him that I want to turn from my sins, and that I am sorry for what I’ve done and don’t want to do bad things any more, He grants forgiveness.

Jesus, you see, helps me to let go of the past while at the same time teaches me to trust in His love. And while the past cannot be changed, altered or fixed, I am to keep my faith in God and in the future.

This is spiritual freedom. This is pressing toward the goal. Being forgiven as well as having a personal relationship with Christ is the prize.

David Berkowitz

January 2, 2006