Paul started the whole “No perfect people allowed” movement! He knew the pressure that Christians were getting from the religious people. Get circumcised, follow the commandments, obey the law. Paul knew that this was a trap. He knew that there were two kinds of people that miss God’s standard of perfection. Those that say they do and those that pretend they don’t. Paul did not have to pretend to be perfect, he had a better way! He forgot his sin. Paul knew his struggle. He knew his shortcomings but instead of putting on the pretence of perfection, he focused on one thing: “Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead”. How about you? There comes a time when you have to make a choice. Are you going to let the past dictate your life or your future? Follow Paul’s example, “I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”

This is my prayer to you.

Father, you know my past better than I do and yet you are willing to forgive. Help me to do the same. Help me to forgive and forget the pass and focus on what’s ahead. Help me live in the present reality of your love and forgiveness and then press on toward living my life for you.
AMEN