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Answer
The apostle Paul concludes a section in Philippians 3 by stating, “One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (verses 13–14). Is Paul instructing us to erase everything that occurred before we encountered Christ? Is this a directive to clear our minds of all recollections?
It is crucial to examine the preceding passage. Paul had just enumerated all his religious credentials that, to the Jewish mindset, held utmost significance. He then declares, “I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (verse 8). Paul is emphasizing that no earthly achievement holds weight compared to knowing Christ and relying solely on His righteousness for salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9). Regardless of our past goodness or badness, we must all approach Christ in the same manner: humbly, penitently, and acknowledging our unworthiness of His forgiveness (Romans 5:8;Titus 3:5).
The term “forgetting” in this context means “no longer caring for, neglecting, refusing to dwell on.” Our memories retain countless pieces of information gathered through our senses since birth. Some experiences are indelible, and any attempt to erase them only amplifies their presence. Paul is not advocating amnesia; he is urging us to concentrate on the present and the future, rather than the past.
It is tempting to “dwell on the past.” Whether it is a past triumph that our minds replay incessantly or a past failure that looms over us like a shadow, it must be consigned to history. Nothing obstructs current service more than being ensnared in another era. Emulating Paul’s forgetfulness entails valuing the past as a lesson learned, without allowing it to dictate our present actions.As nothing. We cut the strings that tie us to that bygone moment. We refuse to allow past successes to inflate our pride. We refuse to allow past failures to deflate our self-worth. We leave it behind and instead adopt our new identity in Christ «Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. », (2 Corinthians 5:17).
We are not to forget everything, however, in the sense of being oblivious to it. In fact, there are many times God instructs us to remember. In Deuteronomy 9:7, Moses tells the Israelites to “remember this and never forget how you aroused the anger of the Lord your God in the wilderness. From the day you left Egypt until you arrived here, you have been rebellious against the Lord.” We are encouraged to remember all God has done for us (Psalm 77:11;Psalm 103:2), others who are suffering for Christ’s sake (Hebrews 13:3;Colossians 4:18), and what we were before Jesus saved us (Ephesians 2:11-12;1 Corinthians 6:9-11). But the remembering should be to the glory of God and for our spiritual benefit. If we are cleansed by the blood of Christ, then no judgment remains for past failures « There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. », (Romans 8:1). If God chooses not to remember our past sins «For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, And their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. », Hebrews 8:12, we have the option to disregard them and welcome the future that He guarantees to those who adore Him, as stated in Romans 8:28; Ephesians 2:10.
