"Moving Forward"

  One by one Paul pulled from his life work and gains comparing them. A highly educated, elite member of the tribe of Benjamin. A keeper of the Law precisely. Zealous to follow. We see this in Phil. 3:5-6. But in all of his undertakings and accomplishments of his heritage, it simply was nothing compared to Jesus and what Jesus accomplished for him. Compared to Christ and what Paul had gained, he saw it as rubbish, dung! The things in his life's accomplishments were nothing compared to what he had in Jesus.

  We need to learn from this. So many I have known that worked hard and with a lot of expense made a name for themselves with letters after their name. It took years and finally it was accomplished! It's worn as a badge to many and it is a great accomplishment to gain such recognition of the hard work expended. How many would be willing to throw it all away, counting it as rubbish in light of Christ Jesus? Maybe the reason our lives are lived on such a low level is we want Jesus and our elevation too! The result? Frustrations and discouragements.

  On the other side of the coin, there are those who have accomplished little with their lives and they seem to endlessly live in their past. Always drawing off their past, reliving their past and regretting things they did in their past. It haunts them at times. The world is no help either. The world says lets go back to the past and see what is keeping us from the present. Does anyone believe their past died with Christ when they were immersed into Him?

  Striving for Jesus! That's the greatest goal. Gaining Jesus! Gaining His righteousness on the basis of faith! Knowing Him! That's the noble goal in life. Jesus will not play second to anyone. Jesus will not allow anyone to live in their past whom He has forgiven. That leaves us with one thing: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what is ahead!!! Pressing onward and upward. There is our answer and it is found in Jesus Christ. Too many are drowning in themselves both presently and from their past while Jesus patiently waits for faith to move us to Him. There is a surpassing value of knowing Jesus Christ the Lord!