Forgetting What Is Behind

New Year's Resolutions may reveal that we know we really aren't good people. We want to forget the "imperfections" of our life up to this point, and a new year offers hope that we can finally live up to our potential. The fact is that we are all flawed. Well, "flawed" is the nice way of putting it. The Bible says we all sin, meaning, we fall short of God's standards. We do not meet his reasonable expectations, and therefore we deserve his condemnation. We are separated from Him because of our actions. The changing of a number on a calendar really doesn't help things, even if we renew our commitment to try harder at being better.

However, the good news is that God offers us a real chance at a fresh start. If we turn to Jesus, we find in him a righteousness that is freely available to us. We cannot earn it or get there ourselves, he gives it to us! Our lives suddenly have a perfect score in God's sight, and nothing we ever do can subtract or add to it.

This doesn't mean we stop sinning. But Jesus also walks with us to help us overcome sin. Really, as a Christian, every day is like New Year's Day. We truly can forget what is behind and start every new day fresh. Without Christ, this is just pretend, a fantasy that will be proven false in time. With Christ, it is real, every new day we are perfectly clean and righteous in his sight. This is why Paul is able to write: "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 3:13-14.

How do we go about straining toward what is ahead? Let's say I want to get better at forgiving others from now on. How do I do that? Do I simply focus my mental powers on the problem, thinking in my mind repeatedly "Forgive more, forgive more, forgive more...." Of course, that won't work.

The Bible gives us the key in Joshua 1:8:"Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."

Let's use this verse and work backwards.
1. I want to be prosperous and successful, particularly in the area of forgiveness.
2. Therefore, I must be careful to obey everything the Bible says about forgiveness. I need to have a clear understanding about what forgiveness is according to the Bible, why we need to do it, and what God has done to enable us to do it.
3. In order to do that, I must not let the Book of the Law depart from my mouth, I need to meditate on it day and night.

The key to success in life then is to have a steady focus on the Bible. We must read it and memorize key verses. We can read in our personal life and by attending church and listening to good Bible teaching. I recommend everyone also have a personal plan to read and memorize. Without a plan, you may not develop or maintain the right habits.

I highly recommend two apps:
Scripture Typer: https://scripturetyper.com/
and ReadingPlan: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/readingplan/id336984707?mt=8
I also think Megaverses, http://www.megaverses.com/ provides a great way to memorize and meditate on the Bible through music.

These can help you stay organized and hold you accountable. I pray God's blessings for you in the New Year!