No Effect | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

(The following blog was originally posted in my former MySpace blog on September 2, 2007.)

In Philippians 3:13-15, it reads,

"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, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you."

Not too long ago, my pastor delivered a message entitled, "Leave The Past Behind," which included a portion of the above passage as part of his text.  He mentioned that in deciding to follow Christ, we must forget about the past in order to be used of GOD.  Forgetting the past doesn't mean that it never again comes to mind; it means that it has no effect or influence on you.

It is impossible for anyone to go forward with GOD while in bondage to the past.  In order to open ourselves to receive the things GOD has for us in the future, it takes us letting go of those things behind us.  Realize that where GOD is taking us, there are some things and some people that can not go with us.

And why is that?  They're only distractions designed to negatively influence us.  When in the Lord's service, we must hold on to the plow and not look back at all.  We must be so engrossed in the work of the moment that whatever happened beforehand no longer concerns us.  No matter what sins we committed, addictions we battled, words we said, or afflictions we caused, once forgiven of them, they must now and henceforth be of no effect.

I've heard Philippians 3:13-14 more times than I can remember; however, it was verse 15 that just ministered to me as I continued reading beyond the sermon text in my private time.  GOD is so awesome!  You see, even in those areas of our lives where we don't forget the past and are hindered in our forward press, GOD will reveal those areas to us.  It is so good to know that He will never leave us out here incomplete.  Our Father desires that this mindset saturate us completely.  Otherwise, He would not have said through Paul that we are to "be thus minded" in every aspect of our lives.

Thank you, Father, for encouraging us to to be dominated by Your Spirit, who is dwelling within us, and not our flesh.  We wait on you, GOD, because Your Word says that those who wait on you will never be ashamed.  Whatever shame is still lying within us from past situations must go in the name of Jesus.  Show us, O GOD, those things from our pasts that we have not let go of.   We desire to press toward Your high calling, so transform us, Father, by the renewing of our minds.  Our righteousness is of You, LORD, and we are forever grateful that our pasts are indeed of no effect.  In the name of Jesus the Christ, AMEN!