Paul is a man in the Bible who is known for his great faith. He went on missionary journeys and endured much trial all for the gospels sake. Like us though, Paul also had a past. Paul was once Saul. A man who was dedicated to persecuting Christians. We find that Paul did not allow his past choices to become an excuse for the present. He embraced the salvation and call of God on his life. In Philippians 3:13-14 Paul writes, “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.” Paul was no longer held in bondage because of his past. Instead, he looked forward with a heart purposed to continually grow in Christ. He said “I count not myself to have apprehended” meaning that he had not yet taken a hold of all that faith entails. With that reality in mind, his heart was set on growth.
All we, like Paul, have a past. We are born with a sinful nature in need of a Savior. After we accept the gift of salvation, we mustn’t allow our past to prevent us from serving in the present. In service of Christ, we must never become complacent with where we are in our walk. We must press forward and seek growth.
In 2 Timothy 4:7 Paul writes, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:” What a blessing it is to be able to declare that with such confidence! I encourage you to take time this week to reflect upon your own walk. Ask yourself: Am I pressing toward that mark or am I lingering in the same spot? Am I living in a way that I can finish my earthly course with such spiritual peace about the way I lived it?