In my limited time as a minister and student of the Bible, I have yet to come across someone who would refuse to read Paul’s letters on the basis of his past. I’ve never encountered someone who rejects the teachings from Peter because of his wavering faithfulness to Jesus. Yet in our Christian community we have become quick to hold grudges, remember sins, and hinder our fellowship on the basis of someone’s unfortunate past (whether public or personal). Whether we recognize or not, that creates a dilemma communally and internally. Individuals struggle to progress and ultimately the family of God becomes burdened with unnecessary weight.

Paul seldom considers his past, but he remains focused on one thing in particular; the resurrection. Philippians 3 specifically sheds more light on the mind of Paul. He states in verse 11 that the eternal life is a pursuit of his. In verse 12, he notes his persistence of the resurrection. In 13-14 the apostle boldly states how his previous life, both prestigious and disreputable, was going to remain insignificant to his aim of the future. How do we let go of the past in relation to our spirituality? “I press on toward the goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (3:14). In order to move forward, we have to let go of the things keeping us stagnant.

I have scars all over myself from working as a welder, accidents from home improvement, and even from foolish deeds as a kid. We all have scars from various sources. Yet I doubt you think of them much unless they are in a prominent spot. Even then, I would suppose that you have gotten used to your scars being there.  They hurt when the wounds were new, but as they heal only a fragment remains. It’s nonsensical to dwell on the pain that caused those scars. I’ve made mistakes in the past have committed sins with temptations that still haunt. I would venture to guess that I’m not alone in such experience. But what a shame it is to forfeit the peace of forgiveness in exchange for possession of previous guilt. God offers everyone the promises that reign from grace (Rom. 5:15). How then do we forget the past? Perhaps by focusing on the glory of the resurrection and what we can do to ensure ourselves a spot in eternal life. Almost every time Paul began his writing, he made mention of the life that is to come (Rom. 1:4; 1 Cor. 1:8; Gal. 1:4; Eph. 1:7; Ph. 1:6; Col. 1:5; 1 Th. 1:10; 2 Th. 1:10; Ti. 1:2).

Tyler King