SCRIPTURE:

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… (Philippians 3:13)

DEVOTIONAL:

Paul knew what it meant to forget things. Remember that he was the one hauling off the Jews who had confessed Christ. He had put them in jail and even had some of them killed. So, Paul had quite a past. He did it because he was blind. That’s what spiritual blindness can do to a person.

The devil has blinded the minds of them that do not believe. So, before he can steal, kill, and destroy, he comes to blind people’s minds. He has blinded many people’s minds today in terms of who they are, or what God has planned for their lives, or how they can even live.

The way that you get people’s eyes open is through the light of the glorious gospel, or the truth. Jesus said, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31–32).

Friend, whatever you may have done in the past, God extends His grace to you today just like he did the Apostle Paul. Jesus paid the price for your forgiveness—Receive it! Forget the past and move forward to the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

PRAYER:

Dear God, You know everything about me and yet You love me. Because of Your amazing grace, I can forget the past, forget all shame, and move forward to fulfill the divine destiny You have planned for my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

This devotional is excerpted from Dr. Bill Winston’s mini-book, The Power of Grace. Order this amazing book today!

Listen to this devotional here.