DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT - TUESDAY: Three Principles For A Victorious Life In Christ

The most urgent necessity in human life is to be able to face life victoriously. For many are living mentally, physically, morally and spiritually defeated. -- F. A. Wickett
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Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, -- Phil 3:12-13

Consider the first principle that will enable us to have a victorious life in Christ…

FORGETTING THE PAST… Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, -- Phil 3:13. Paul's speech is always sharp and decisive, especially when he is writing about previous experiences in his life.

When looking back over things that have happened in life many of us have mingled emotions, in doing this there is also a tendency, to look back in comparison to how things are now, how much of our past should we remember? There are many things that we want to keep in our minds, because they serve as a teaching element in facing new situations.

Experience is often the best teacher and some of us know all to well, that experience is the only teacher. Others of us know that... “Experience is always the hardest teacher, because you have to take the test before you learn your lesson.”

Some Things Must Be Forgotten Completely If We Are To Stay Sane and Experience A Victorious Christian Walk.

Paul's determination to forget the past was part of his resolve to never rest or relax as he faced the future. He would not allow any memory of failure to bring depression into his life, or to slow him down. He was determined to have the same mind concerning the future, as that of the athletes, with their eyes and thoughts fixed on the goal they have.

When we do this, we cannot look back. Looking back does several things that hinder our forward progress;

Ø Slows us down
Ø Gets us off balance
Ø Changes our focus

Whatever the past has been, God wants to make certain it will not hinder us, and that is done by concentrating on what lies ahead. All of our past sins have been removed to make us better and we don't need to be bogged down with them… If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. -- I John 1:9.

Christ has cleansed them from our lives if we have been obedient to His Word and our attitude should be, that we have repented of our sins, we have prayed for the grace of God to remove those sins from our lives, and He has done that.

We own the assurance that God has removed our sins through the precious blood of His Only Son Jesus Christ… Jesus replied, "No-one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." --Luke 9:62

In the service of the Lord, it is not where but how you serve. -- J. Reuben Clark

We should always be aware, that God will give us the courage and the strength that enables us, never to sit lamenting amongst the ruins of our happiness or our integrity. If we surrender to God completely, He will provide us with the strength we need to forget our failure and to move victoriously on, in our walk with Him.

Loving Father, I thank you for your word that enables me to know that I can move on victoriously after I have failed. I ask by the power of the Holy Spirit, use me to further your kingdom, help me to serve the best way I can, that I may be victorious in Christ and bring glory to your name! In Jesus name I pray! Amen!