Heralds Digest

"Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead." (Philippians 3:13 NKJV) Either on the excitement of excellent performance or the indictment of poor performance, the hangover of past events impede the expected concentration on present performances. Paul revealed the secret of forgetting the things behind to the Philippians, in pursuit of the prize on the things ahead. Every new day opens up a great wealth of opportunities to everyone. However, only believers in the great God (who brings out excellent things out of the naughtiness of the past) can see the future in the light of God's promises, rather than on the evidence of human predicaments.

"And be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death." (Philippians 3:9-10 NKJV) There are clearly acceptable norms in every sphere of life, including cultural, religious, moral, economic, political and social norms. Ability to conform to these norms with personal efforts represents a boost to individual ego. Prior to being transformed through Christ, Paul can walk boldly with his shoulders high on the account of his religious ego. He later became proud to lay down this ego in order to discover the riches of Christ's righteousness. There are limitation to what ego can offer in life; but nothing is impossible with Christ's strength, when ego is offered. Although ego offering at the feet of Christ can suffer the acceptable assessment fr...