Articles
Keep Looking Forward
Keep Looking Forward
Dick Brant
Planning has been said to be the key to the success of every area of life. And as we think about the Christian life, it must be our plan to spend eternity with God if we are to succeed. Even in everyday life, it is also true. Note a few simple quotes with me and see the application to living the Christian life.
The secret of success is a constancy of purpose - Benjamin Disraeli.
Each day it needs to be our ongoing, steadfast goal to be His servant. We must always be looking toward our goal, heaven. Like apostle Paul, as recorded in II Timothy 4:7-8, we too need to be able to say, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing."
Forget the past - Nelson Mandela
Sometimes we can be held back from living the Christian life to the fullest, and focusing on our goal of eternal life, because we can't forget our past. From Philippians 3:13-14 we have these words, "Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
Another thought is from Hebrews 12:8, "FOR I WILL BE MERCIFUL TO THEIR INIQUITIES, AND I WILL REMEMBER THEIR SINS NO MORE." Or from Colossians 2:13, "When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us"
Success is my only option; failure's not - Eminem
Knowing the truth from God's word about the saved and the lost, success is the only option. That is living a life pleasing in His sight. We know it is true, even as Christians, we sin. But the good news is, God has provided a way of forgiveness for us. He wants to spend eternity with you. Note the following two passages with me.
2 Timothy 2:3-4, "This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."
2 Peter 2:9, "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance."
In the past, you were not a Christian and needed to be taught by someone, then when you acted on that teaching, you became a child of God. Now, as you live the Christian life, your forgiveness is totally in your own hands.
In 1 John 1:8-9, It is stated this way, "If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
LIVE WITH ONE PURPOSE - FORGET THE PAST - STRIVE TO SUCCEED
