Dear New Life in Christ Church Family,

Do you see too many of your past behaviors showing up in your current choices? The words of the Apostle Paul can be very helpful for us as we seek to make some changes in our lives.

Philippians 3:12–14 - “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. 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, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” 

First, remember that you don't have to be perfect. He says, "not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect." You don't have to have a perfect life. You don't have to be perfect in your behavior. The Christian life is one of "progressive sanctification". This means that we grow in grace as we trust Jesus and He changes us bit by bit. This is really helpful when you give yourself permission to be imperfect, to live with less than perfect situations, and to be honest with God and others about your weaknesses and failures. Unless you are honest that you are not perfect, you will not be able to grow. True health requires honesty.

Second, while you may stop certain behaviors, you should never stop wanting what God wants for you. We read, "I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own." Jesus claimed you to be part of his church, his body, his bride and in that promises abundant life (John 10:10). That life includes, "love, joy, and peace" (see Galatians 5:22). There is nothing wrong with wanting those, but we must remember that they are "fruit of the Spirit" that only truly come through a relationship with Jesus (Galatians 5:22-23).

Third, look forward and move forward. We read, "forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead". So many of our problems come because we had some experience of the past that we would like to recreate. Or maybe it is an experience we would like to avoid. Too much looking back can lead us to make the wrong decisions for the present. God's intentions are to free you to serve Him with the freedom of love, joy, and purpose. Whatever is in your past, good or bad, it is really important to be willing to let those things go for the things God has in your future.

Fourth, keep your eyes on the prize. "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Make it your chief aim to hear these words from God, "Well done good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your master." We want to know of God's acceptance, of His justifying love, we want to bathe in his sanctifying grace. If you know you will be free someday in heaven, why not be free of those sins in the present, even just to get a foretaste of what is to come? Your past experiences are nothing compared to what you will have. The bad ones will be washed away in the overwhelming healing of joy. The good ones will not be able to be compared to that upward call you will experience.

Faithfully Yours,
Pastor Sean