OVERCOME – “to conquer, to have a superiority over, to defeat.” One thing all Christians have in common and that is, they all have a past and many Christians struggle with negative things of the past: broken relationships, adultery, addictions, abuse, and the list goes on. These negative things from a Christian’s past hold them back from being what God wants them to be because of the feelings of inadequacy they produce in the life of a Christian. However, a wonderful truth that is taught in the Word of God is that Christians don’t have to let the past determine their future nor stop them from fulfilling the wonderful plan of God for their lives. The past can be overcome if a Christian will follow the principle that is given in (Philippians 3:13-14). There are two principles given in this passage for overcoming the past: “forgetting the past and focusing on the future.” First, forget the past by seeking forgiveness from God and others where necessary, by offering forgiveness to others, and by not dwelling on the past. Secondly, by setting your heart on seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness every moment of everyday of your life, through regular personal Bible devotions, prayer, faithful church attendance, disciplining your mind not to think negative thoughts but only God thoughts, yielding yourself to the Holy Spirit of God, and learning to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and your fellowman as yourself. (Philippians 3:13-14), “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.”
Pastor Allen Jackson