I Am Resolved!
Philippians 3:13 Brethren, 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, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
We often joke about making New Year’s resolutions because we know how quickly they are broken. Still, there is some merit in making resolutions for it’s better to try and fail than not to try at all. I know that good intentions are not enough, BUT all good Actions are first good intentions. Let me offer three resolutions that all of us would do good to implement in our lives in 2011.
I. I Am Resolved to Forget the Past.
Paul declared, “This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind...” One of the greatest enemies of the present is the past. We are often haunted by our Past; we are often hindered by our Past.
A. Forget Past Sins. All of us have mistakes, failures, wrong choices and even sins in our past. Though we are embarrassed, ashamed and sometimes intimidated by our past sins, we must realize that what is done is done and cannot be totally undone. We cannot rewind the clock or the calendar. We need to deal with the wrongs that can be dealt with: apologize for those hateful words and that hateful attitude, ask forgiveness for wrongs done, stop traveling a wrong path and get on the right path, reconsider that wrong decision and do the right thing. Do not allow past sins to dominate and derail your life today.
B. Forget Past Successes. There are things that turned out well for us in the past year. There were victories we won, enemies we conquered, ground we gained. We must not dwell on our success to the point that stop pressing on. Too many are resting on their laurels. They haven’t won a spiritual victory in 5, 10 or more years but they are still congratulating themselves on a victory won 20 years ago. Have you won some trophies? Great. Display them if you like; but don’t stop trying to win more trophies.
II. I Am Resolved to Focus on the Present.
“This one thing I DO...” (Present tense) “Forgetting those things which are behind, and REACHING...” (present tense) I know that we talk about people who live only for today and never take eternity into consideration; that is dangerous and deadly. Still, in real life we can really only live for today in the practical sense: Yesterday is Gone and cannot be reclaimed; Tomorrow is not here and may never come. We must focus on the present.
A. Live FOR Christ. Nothing matter more than your relationship with Jesus Christ! If you are not living FOR Christ you are wasting your life. Jobs, career, education, possessions, money, food, fun, friends, even family are not valid purposes for Life. They will all pass away- Live For Christ.
B. Live IN Christ. Paul said he was pressing toward the mark for the high calling of God IN Christ Jesus. To live IN Christ is vital for you cannot maintain the Christian life by your own strength and determination. Remember, Christianity is not just Religion, it is Relationship. You and I must be IN Christ. Those IN Christ are New Creatures, old things have passed away and all things have become new.
C. Live LIKE Christ. Make Jesus the pattern and example for your life. While the fad of WWJD has passed, the truth remains that we should ask ourselves, “What would Jesus Do?” Peter wrote that Jesus left us an example and that “we should follow his steps.” We must follow his manner of speech, the way he treated people, the attitudes he displayed, the disciplines he practiced: prayer, fasting, attending God’s house, studying the Scriptures, investing his time into the lives of others. Live Like Christ.
III. I Am Resolved to Face the Future.
We cannot hide from tomorrow. We glibly say, “tomorrow never comes,” and in a sense that is true. But in a sense that is not true. As you read this today, you have a past because your future did happen and is still happening. Your tomorrows did come and many of the circumstances of your life today are what they are because of choices and decisions you made then; they are still affecting your future right now. Paul declared that he had already attained all that he needed; but he determined to Follow after- and reach forth unto those things which were before. None of us know the details of our future. We do not know what will happen in our bodies, our lives, our families, or our country. Still, we must face the future with Confidence. Not confidence in our own knowledge or ability but with FAITH in our Mighty God. We must Face the Future with Prayerful Preparation; with Earnest Effort; with Firm Faith; with Heavenly Hope.
I Am Resolved to Forget the Past; Focus on the Present; and Face the Future.
Philippians 3:13 Brethren, 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, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
We often joke about making New Year’s resolutions because we know how quickly they are broken. Still, there is some merit in making resolutions for it’s better to try and fail than not to try at all. I know that good intentions are not enough, BUT all good Actions are first good intentions. Let me offer three resolutions that all of us would do good to implement in our lives in 2011.
I. I Am Resolved to Forget the Past.
Paul declared, “This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind...” One of the greatest enemies of the present is the past. We are often haunted by our Past; we are often hindered by our Past.
A. Forget Past Sins. All of us have mistakes, failures, wrong choices and even sins in our past. Though we are embarrassed, ashamed and sometimes intimidated by our past sins, we must realize that what is done is done and cannot be totally undone. We cannot rewind the clock or the calendar. We need to deal with the wrongs that can be dealt with: apologize for those hateful words and that hateful attitude, ask forgiveness for wrongs done, stop traveling a wrong path and get on the right path, reconsider that wrong decision and do the right thing. Do not allow past sins to dominate and derail your life today.
B. Forget Past Successes. There are things that turned out well for us in the past year. There were victories we won, enemies we conquered, ground we gained. We must not dwell on our success to the point that stop pressing on. Too many are resting on their laurels. They haven’t won a spiritual victory in 5, 10 or more years but they are still congratulating themselves on a victory won 20 years ago. Have you won some trophies? Great. Display them if you like; but don’t stop trying to win more trophies.
II. I Am Resolved to Focus on the Present.
“This one thing I DO...” (Present tense) “Forgetting those things which are behind, and REACHING...” (present tense) I know that we talk about people who live only for today and never take eternity into consideration; that is dangerous and deadly. Still, in real life we can really only live for today in the practical sense: Yesterday is Gone and cannot be reclaimed; Tomorrow is not here and may never come. We must focus on the present.
A. Live FOR Christ. Nothing matter more than your relationship with Jesus Christ! If you are not living FOR Christ you are wasting your life. Jobs, career, education, possessions, money, food, fun, friends, even family are not valid purposes for Life. They will all pass away- Live For Christ.
B. Live IN Christ. Paul said he was pressing toward the mark for the high calling of God IN Christ Jesus. To live IN Christ is vital for you cannot maintain the Christian life by your own strength and determination. Remember, Christianity is not just Religion, it is Relationship. You and I must be IN Christ. Those IN Christ are New Creatures, old things have passed away and all things have become new.
C. Live LIKE Christ. Make Jesus the pattern and example for your life. While the fad of WWJD has passed, the truth remains that we should ask ourselves, “What would Jesus Do?” Peter wrote that Jesus left us an example and that “we should follow his steps.” We must follow his manner of speech, the way he treated people, the attitudes he displayed, the disciplines he practiced: prayer, fasting, attending God’s house, studying the Scriptures, investing his time into the lives of others. Live Like Christ.
III. I Am Resolved to Face the Future.
We cannot hide from tomorrow. We glibly say, “tomorrow never comes,” and in a sense that is true. But in a sense that is not true. As you read this today, you have a past because your future did happen and is still happening. Your tomorrows did come and many of the circumstances of your life today are what they are because of choices and decisions you made then; they are still affecting your future right now. Paul declared that he had already attained all that he needed; but he determined to Follow after- and reach forth unto those things which were before. None of us know the details of our future. We do not know what will happen in our bodies, our lives, our families, or our country. Still, we must face the future with Confidence. Not confidence in our own knowledge or ability but with FAITH in our Mighty God. We must Face the Future with Prayerful Preparation; with Earnest Effort; with Firm Faith; with Heavenly Hope.
I Am Resolved to Forget the Past; Focus on the Present; and Face the Future.
posted by Junction Hill Pentecostal Church | 10:43 AM
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