“…forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.” (Philippians 3:13)

Many Christians live in past experiences. They live in what God has done for them. Remembering the past is good, if that memory is used to give you a foundation for “reaching forth unto those things which are before.”

But to live in the past is to stop growing in Christ. If you stop growing, it means you are turning back, for you cannot stand still. When you think you have learned all of God, you lower God to your abilities and expectations. This condition causes you to get legalistic, stale, and fruitless; it causes the salt to lose its saltness, and is therefore good for nothing.

Oswald Chambers wrote in the early 1800’s, “If we have only what we have experienced, we have nothing.” He went on to say, “Our reach must exceed our grasp.”

This is what I believe the Apostle Paul was saying in Philippians 3:12:

1. “Not as though I had already attained…” (Some Christians think they have already arrived; they have been saved and sanctified, and now they are to wait. They think they have learned all the truth there is; so now they just walk in their past experiences.)
2. “…either were already perfect:” (The Apostle Paul realized he had not reached perfection. He had a desire, a driving force, within himself to know more about the indwelling Christ in him; see verses 9-11.)
3. “…but I follow after…” (This indicates a moving forward, an active step forward; not resting in the past experiences; but moving on to a higher experience in Christ.)

And he continues in Philippians 3:13:

1. “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended…” (So Paul knew he was not complete in his journey in sanctification.)
2. “…but this one thing I do, forgetting…” (or letting go)
3. “…those things which are behind…” (those past experiences; they are now only a memory)
4. “…and reaching forth…” (This means moving for Christ; walking by faith; seeing with spiritual eyes those things before him; those things that await him.)
5. “…unto those things…” (What he had been called unto? Glorification)
6. “…which are before,” (What was “before” him? What was in Paul’s future?)

Paul answers these questions in Philippians 3:14. It is, “… the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” This is explained in John 17:21-24; being brought into the knowledge of the Oneness in Christ; to behold His Glory.

However, the primary focus of this devotion is in the word “before.” “Before” does not mean the past; but it means what lies ahead. What is “before” the Child of God? It is full Glorification; which begins to be revealed in the person who has been Regenerated (or Born from Above by the Spirit of God; John 3:3-8). But it is fully realized in eternity.

However, the race track is here on earth

“…forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,” (Philippians 3:13)

Many Christians live in past experiences. They live in what God has done for them. Remembering the past is good, if that memory is used to give you a foundation for “reaching forth unto those things which are before.”

But to live in the past is to stop growing in Christ. If you stop growing, it means you are turning back, for you cannot stand still. When you think you have learned all of God, you lower God to your abilities and expectations. This condition causes you to get legalistic, stale, and fruitless; it causes the salt to lose its saltness, and is therefore good for nothing.

Oswald Chambers wrote in the early 1800’s, “If we have only what we have experienced, we have nothing.” He went on to say, “Our reach must exceed our grasp.”

This is what I believe the Apostle Paul was saying in Philippians 3:12:

1. “Not as though I had already attained…” (Some Christians think they have already arrived; they have been saved and sanctified, and now they are to wait. They think they have learned all the truth there is; so now they just walk in their past experiences.)
2. “…either were already perfect:” (The Apostle Paul realized he had not reached perfection. He had a desire, a driving force, within himself to know more about the indwelling Christ in him; see verses 9-11.)
3. “…but I follow after…” (This indicates a moving forward, an active step forward; not resting in the past experiences; but moving on to a higher experience in Christ.)

And he continues in Philippians 3:13:

1. “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended…” (So Paul knew he was not complete in his journey in sanctification.)
2. “…but this one thing I do, forgetting…” (or letting go)
3. “…those things which are behind…” (those past experiences; they are now only a memory)
4. “…and reaching forth…” (That means moving for Christ; walking by faith; seeing with spiritual eyes those things before him; those things that await him.)
5. “…unto those things…” (What he had been called unto? Glorification)
6. “…which are before,” (What was “before” him? What was in Paul’s future?)

He answers these questions in Philippians 3:14. It was, “… the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” This is explained in John 17:21-24; being brought into the knowledge of the Oneness in Christ; to behold His Glory.

However, the primary focus of this devotion is in the word “before.” “Before” does not mean the past; but it means what lies ahead. What is “before” the Child of God? It is full Glorification; which begins to be revealed in the person who has been Regenerated (or Born from Above by the Spirit of God; John 3:3-8). But it is fully realized in eternity.

However, the race track is here on earth, “…run with patience the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1). We are as runners in a race, running to the finish line to receive the Victor’s Crown.

Paul is teaching in Philippians 3:7-14, that there is no living in the past, no stopping in the race. But always, daily, without ceasing – running, running, “reaching forth,” and laying “…aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us…” (Hebrews 12:1). Paul says to us, there is no end to our running the race until this life is over. You are to always, daily, reach forth (which is a daily surrender to God; submitting to His Word; obeying His Word; and enduring in that obedience unto the end).

There are tell-tale signs that are undeniable of the saints who are not living in the past experience; but are actively, daily, “reaching forth unto those things which are before” (the Prize). These signs are:

1. They bear fruit, more fruit, and much fruit (John 15:1-10).
2. And that fruit remain (John 15:16).
3. They are saints who are continuing to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).
4. They are humble people.
5. They are full of charity (1 Corinthians 13:1-13).
6. They love God and the Brethren (1 John 3 – 4).
7. They have the Good Samaritan spirit and deeds (Luke 10:30-37).
8. They are walking by faith and not by sight. They believe God is; they believe His Promises; and they diligently seek Him daily (Hebrews 11:6); so they walk even as Christ walked (1 John 2:4-6).
9. They walk in the Power of the Indwelling Christ (Romans 8:9-16; Galatians 2:20).
10. They never live in the past. But they are always are “reaching forth” to know Him more; to look like Him more; to be like Him more. They are never satisfied with self; always looking to be conformed more to His Image.
11. These people are “movers and shakers,” as was the Apostle Paul, turning the world upside down with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
12. Therefore, these people are not only “hearers”; but “doers” of God’s Word.

In conclusion, which group are you in? Are you in yesterday’s crowd? Or are you one of those who live in the future Promises of God?

Those in the first crowd are saved, sanctified, satisfied, and defeated; they are ready to die.

Those in the second crowd are saved and being sanctified daily. They are never satisfied, but always want more and more of Christ. They are fruit bearers and overcomers. They are alive and “reaching forth” for “the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Saints of God, the past is gone; it cannot be changed. But the future – it is our hope, “…Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).

If you are living His Life in you (Romans 5:10, 17); then you are “reaching forth unto those things which are before.”