How can we forget those things that are behind?

18

Forgetting Those Things Which are Behind

Many of us have had a past comprised of mental preoccupations involving dissatisfaction with our job, disagreements with family and friends, sexual encounter fantasies, getting back at others who’ve hurt us, jealousy of another person’s wealth, satisfying chronic alcoholic or drug-related tendencies, etc. Eventually, some of these thoughts will become evidenced in our actions. Consequently, we wind up hurting not only ourselves but those closest to us. Some people are in literal prisons because of their decisions, while others are imprisoned in their minds.

In my early years of ministry, messages from the pulpit would state that we should forget those things that are behind us. The past is the past. Leave it alone. Don’t look back. This counsel sounds right, doesn’t it?

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Unbeknownst to many Christians are the tactics of their enemy, the Devil and his forces, whose goal is to inhibit our testimony. We also have a past full of memories that are triggered to remind us of the good and bad aspects of our lives. This leaves us with the dilemma: how should we respond to such when they rear their ugly head?

Let’s begin by investigating the idea of forgetting what’s gone on in our lives in the past. Please turn in your Bible to the Book of Philippians. But before we do, sometimes it’s good to have a laugh. Have you ever forgotten something? Here’s a brief but funny story about an elderly couple who did such a thing.



AN OLD COUPLE IS HAVING TROUBLE REMEMBERING THINGS

A couple in their nineties are both having problems remembering things. During a checkup, the doctor tells them that they’re physically okay, but they might want to start writing things down to help them remember.

Later that night, while watching TV, the old man gets up from his chair. “Want anything while I’m in the kitchen?” he asks. “Will you get me a bowl of ice cream?” “Sure.”

“Don’t you think you should write it down so you can remember it?” she asks. “No, I can remember it.” “Well, I’d like some strawberries on top, too. Maybe you should write it [down so as not to forget it.]”

He says, “I can remember that. You want a bowl of ice cream with strawberries.” “I’d also like whipped cream. I’m certain you’ll forget [that. Write] it down?” she asks. Irritated, he says, “I don’t need to write it [down;] I can remember it! Ice cream with strawberries and whipped cream - I got it, for goodness sake!”

Then he toddles into the kitchen. After about 20 minutes, [the old man returns from the kitchen and hands his wife a plate of bacon and eggs]. She stares at the plate for a moment. “Where’s my toast?”115



Suggested Reading: Philippians 3:1-16

4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:

The Apostle Paul told the believers at Philippi to watch out for those who have confidence in the flesh. He was like them at one time. Born a pure-blooded Jew, being circumcised on the eighth day, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Pharisee (the strictest form of Judaism), he observed the formal rules of the Law without fault and persecuted the Christian church with zeal.

7-9 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

He went on to say that all of these things that he confided in, which he considered gain (in self-righteousness), he now thought loss (rubbish, food scraps, or dung; a hindrance), in relationship to the righteousness that’s in God, which is only found through faith in Christ.

10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

His profit now was to know him (Christ; a personal [knowledge] gained, not solely by hearing or reading, but by direct personal communion with the Lord116), the power of his resurrection (the same power that raised Christ from the dead working in us; it is the evidence of our immortality117; makes it certain that there’s a future state), and the fellowship of his sufferings (to suffer for the sake of righteousness), being made conformable (being formed inwardly) unto his death (continually strives to put his old self (his sinful nature) to death118).

13 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,

And here is the crux, i.e., what will bring about these spiritual aspirations is forgetting those things which are behind. What are those things that were behind that he’s choosing to forget? The word forgetting has different meanings, such as completely forgetting or being unconcerned about and not recalling information concerning some particular matter. Which one is appropriate to the context? Let’s figure this out after determining what is meant by the words those things which are behind.

These words go back to what Paul considered gain at one time. And what was that? It was his confidence in the flesh, i.e., his former religious life in Judaism. With this in mind, Paul shouldn’t continue to reflect upon the tenets of Judaism as necessary conditions to be incorporated into the New Testament theology of salvation and sanctification which have no basis in the positional and experiential righteousness of the believer.

But rather he’s reaching forth (suggests intense effort as well as firm purpose) unto those things (the goals) which are before (the end of the race which is ahead). What are those things or goals that Paul desired? What Paul was after he already mentioned in verse 10, which can be summarized as higher stages of holiness.119

14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

All of these, hopefully, would result in the ultimate prize, Christlikeness.

In summary, as we grow spiritually, we’ll be reminded of past memories, sometimes through natural associations and at other times by means of the interjections of the forces of evil that are designed to get us occupied with thoughts that are reflective of the former way we used to live. However, now that we’re armed with the mind of Christ, we can make amends whether they involve finances, family relationships, former employment, forgiveness, etc., where possible.

I’d like to leave us with some verses that will remind us what we should stand on no matter who or what comes our way.

1 Peter 5:9 Whom (our adversary the Devil) resist stedfast (with rocklike firmness) in (your) faith (the believer's own faith, the definite article here pointing to ownership…in the exercise of a faith that depends upon the strengthening and protecting power of God120), knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield (protection) of faith (a present faith in the Lord Jesus for victory over sin and the hosts of the devil121), wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts (considerations darted into the mind122; lies, blasphemous thoughts, hateful thoughts about others, doubts, and burning desires for sin123;that set the soul on [fire] and enkindle the worst passions124) of the wicked.

In the next chapter, we’ll take a look at the various decisions that will help us become victorious in our spiritual walk.



Endnotes

115“An Old Couple Is Having Trouble Remembering Things,” sunny skyz 13 December 2023

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116The Pulpit Commentary.

117Barnes’ Notes.

118UBS New Testament Handbook Series.

119Jamieson, Faucet, and Brown Commentary.

120Weust’s Word Studies from the Greek New Testament.

121Weust’s Word Studies from the Greek New Testament.

122The Pulpit Commentary.

123The Bible Exposition Commentary/New Testament.

124Barnes’ Notes.