“Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing. Now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it?” Isaish 43:18,19
It was the Apostle Paul, when speaking of his pursuit of God, especially in speaking of Christ, “…that I may know Him,” that “one thing that I do.” What was it that was so essential to his quest, and the successful realization of it? In his own words he wrote: “…forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13) Paul’s pursuit was to know God, to know Christ, not only intellectually knowing about Him but to know the very power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings. How was he to do this?”
The first thing we discover about Paul in the consideration of his quest, is the precision of the knowledge of his objective. Being given to him by the Spirit of God, it was clear, concise, complete, with an overwhelming conviction and commitment. Paul had before him the crystal-clear objective of the “…excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.” (3:8) In the context of this quest, he speaks of “gaining” Christ, attaining the knowledge of Him, pressing on in the face of difficulty and opposition, and yet, knowing the reality of God’s blessing. He speaks of laying hold of the purpose and reason for which Christ had laid hold upon him by saving him and setting him apart to be an apostle. In this pursuit, Paul recognized his limits, for though he would seek to walk perfectly, and run the race flawlessly, his faith would never be perfect this side of heaven. However, the possibilities to know Christ, by the grace of God, were enormous, certainly beyond what he could ask or think. (Eph. 3:20) So, we find the Apostle running a race, fighting a fight, ever seeking Christ, His fulness and blessing, being at the same time satisfied, and yet, thirsting still. But what was that one thing in this pursuit that he learned to do, make his very own, so that the quest could be fulfilled in greatest measure? It was the rule of not looking back, not turning around to look at the failures, and even the successes, but only looking forward, and at Christ. Why is this so very important?
The experiences in circumstances and with people in the past, are never perfect, whether they be good or bad. Our reaction to them is never perfect. Therefore, failures of the past can be used by the enemy to accuse the believer and cause his faith to waiver. Successes could become something upon which the believer would rest upon, or trust in, not relying wholly upon the Lord Jesus in the present moment for present grace. It is good to remember the Lord, His work and provision in the past, and be encouraged in Him. However, it is in the present moment that faith must partake of Christ, trusting Him.
The call of God is an ever-present admonition, and command, to follow Christ. It is impossible to follow Christ in the present moment, if the eyes of the believer are not fixed upon Him, looking to Him in order to receive all from Him by faith. Paul had learned in great measure, and by personal experience, the lesson of looking unto Jesus alone in difficulty, and with consciousness of need. He would not trust in his past, nor in things of the past.
There is another reason for which this lesson is so very important, and we see it throughout Scripture. When God desires and wills to do a “new thing,” He often does so in a new and fresh way. God’s new beginning may be something entirely beyond what man could conceive. At this point, and in every present circumstance which cannot be understood, the call of Christ remains specifically to trust Him, looking to Him alone.
Dear Father, Strengthen us to see Jesus. In Jesus’ name, Amen.