Saul, who later became known as Paul, one of the greatest Apostles ever, was a bitter persecutor of the Church. Acts 8:3 tells us that “As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.” This was the extent of Saul’s desperation to execute the Christians, but when he had an encounter with Jesus, he was given a new focus for life.
After his conversion however, the apostle Paul didn’t dwell on the past, neither did he continue to feel bad about how he had persecuted the Church. He had the revelation of the new creature, and as such knew that old things were passed away and all things had become new (2 Corinthians 5:17). Addressing the Philippians, he said, “…forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead” (Philippians 3:13 TLB).
He talked about the Lord Jesus Christ as though he walked and dined with Him. But everything he knew about Christ was not after the flesh, rather it was by revelation (Galatians 1:12) and that’s why he could preach the gospel with all his being. He made a most remarkable statement when he said, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
Just like this great apostle of Jesus Christ, let the new life occupy your thoughts and fill your mouth. Demonstrate the Lord’s will and His Word as you walk in the Spirit. Count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ. God has given you the gift of righteousness, so forget the past. Don’t let it hold you a slave to its failures and successes; live today to its fullest and press on into the future, holding the Word of God as your banner.
