Journal Entry ~ 09/14/18

12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.
13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 3:12-14

Paul is not just telling us not to look back on our own struggle with sin or temptation on this verse, he’s telling not to look at the sin of others as well. When we have been deeply hurt by another’s sin, many of us have a hard time moving past the offense and truly forgiving. But this verse tells us that’s exactly what God calls us to do. Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead. We forgive and we leave it in the past. 

None of us are perfect. We are all broken people with broken hearts. Our own selfishness impacts other people on a regular basis because we live in a broken world, and the brokenness of others will impact us at times as well. Our response to that brokenness is going to determine how close we get to the goal, and our response is determined by our view of this world. 

We must recognize we are all broken people. Those of us who are believers have the power of the Holy Spirit loving and are BEING transformed into the image of Christ - we’re not there yet. If we stay in our own self righteous hearts, believing others should have to adhere to the standard of perfection in their lives, while we get to continue to make mistakes and be transformed, we are not going to experience His blessings. 

God is working on all those who believe at a different rate. If the offense was committed by another believer, you can bet God is working on them to reveal their sin to them, and is using the very incident that caused you pain to do it. You may not see it or know it, but if they are a believer in Christ, they are being transformed - just as you are. 

If they are not a believer, they are blind to their sin. They don’t even recognize it, and they often don’t have an understanding of the pain they have caused. But God wants to see that person come to know Him because scripture tells us that’s His desire for all people. And if you’re on God’s team, that should be your desire. 

Your perspective of the person will determine your ability to leave the offense in the past. Take your hurt to God and ask Him to reveal to you His perspective of that person you’re struggling to forgive, and the hurt. he has such blessings for us when we leave the past behind us. 


Press on ~ you are loved 💗

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