Authentic Leaders Are Flawed
Learning to Forget – Part 3

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 6:1-3

Key Verse: Philippians 3:13

Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead

Let’s spend one more day on this critical subject of learning to forget our past so we can use all our energy to press forward in our journey with God.  By the way, don’t ever allow yourself to believe that you have limitless emotional energy.  If you use a lot of emotional energy feeling shamed and condemned over things you have done in the past, you have limited your capacity to create a brighter future with victories in Christ!  Learning to forget your sinful past is vital to your future joy in the Lord.

            Our verses in Colossians 3:1-2 have given us the key to learning this principle, using our mental power to think on what we want to think on!  You don’t want to think about being shameful!  You don’t want to think in ways that make you feel condemned.  So, use God’s Word to help you direct your mind to “heavenly things.”  Use verses such as Romans 8:1 that remind you that there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus!  Another verse that can set us free from mental pictures of our sinful past is Colossians 1:21-22, “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.  But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.”  Isn’t that a great last phrase: free from accusation?

            We can learn to set our past on the very back shelves of memory so that they no longer plague our present walk with God!

Father, I receive your gift of salvation in Jesus.  I am yours, you are mine!  I refuse to think about my past and look forward to victory each day.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.