Press On Towards The Goal Of Christ-likeness

"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 toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV)

In his letter to the believers in The Church at Philippi, the Apostle Paul told them that although he was saved, he was not perfect.  However, he was pressing on towards the mark for which Christ had laid hold of him.  While he had not attained it yet, he was going forward towards it,  and he was not going to worry about his past as he worked toward the prize for which God had called him. 

We can learn from Paul.  All of us have sinned. (Romans 3:23)  We all have skeletons in our closets because of our negative sinful past.  However, once we have confessed our past sins, and asked God to forgive us, He forgives us and we should let go of them. (1 John 1:9)  We should not let our past sins, or our past successes hinder our present work, or block our future efforts.  God has a work for each of us to accomplish as part of His kingdom building project. (1 Chronicles 28:20 and Colossians 3:23)  As Paul said, we are all like a runner in a race heading for the goal of Christ-likeness, we are not there yet, but we must keep on running towards the goal.  None of us is perfect, but God can still use us. None of the men in The Bible were perfect, except for Jesus, The Christ.  They just believed and were willing to work for The Lord God, and He used them for His purposes.  We must likewise forget about our past and be willing to use our skills and abilities to work for The Lord. (Exodus 36:2)

Once Forgiven Christ Won't Remember Our Sins

"But when This Priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God.  Since that time He waits for His enemies to be made His footstool, because by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.  The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this.  First He says: 'This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says The Lord.  I will put My laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.'  Then He adds: 'Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.' "  Hebrews 10:12-16 (NIV)

This unknown author of the Book of Hebrews clearly stated to the scattered people of God that Jesus sacrificed Himself once and for the sins of all, and that He is now in heaven, seated at the right hand of God, The Father.  His sacrifice paid the price for those who were being imputed with righteousness.  Once they believed, He put His Word in their hearts and on their minds.  Then he said that He would no longer remember their sins.

Today, we need to know that Christ died on the cross for our sins.  Once we believe, we are forgiven and declared righteous.  The Holy Spirit of God has entered us to bring to our remembrance The Word of God and all that Jesus taught us. (John 14:26)  When we choose to follow Him, our past sins are forgiven.  Christ has forgiven us, so we no longer have to beat ourselves up for our past sinful mistakes and indiscretions.  We are now new creatures. (2 Corinthians 5:17)  Thank God, we are not who we used to be.  As we daily strive to be more Christ-like, we are not as good today as we are going to be.