"...but one thing I do: 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 3.13-14
Paul was wise. He made sure to put the past behind him, in order to move forward towards the future. Intelligent faith requires us to do the same. On the other hand, emotional faith insists on remembering the past to counteract the faith of the Spirit of God.
Anyone who wants to obtain eternal salvation must forget about their past.
"Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised." Proverbs 31.30
Being beautiful and valued by her husband, children and friends is what the woman of this world wants the most.
However, the woman of the Kingdom of God lives to serve her Lord. Her goal is not to receive honor, but to honor Him with her life.
"Then you shall again discern between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him." Malachi 3.18
As promised, the difference between those who serve God must be visible, perceptible and real. These are the signs of His existence and glory in the contemporary world we live in.
However, the realization of such things is subject to sacrifice and unconditional surrender.
"If you return to the Almighty, you will be built up; you will remove iniquity far from your tents. Then you will lay your gold in the dust and the gold of Ophir among stones of the brooks. Yes, the Almighty will be your gold and your precious silver." Job 22.23-25
The kind of faith that pleases the Almighty and produces benefits is displeasing to the heart because it goes against it's will. On the other hand, it attracts the Glory of the Almighty to you.
Who is willing to pay the price?
"Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." James 4.4
This verse clearly defines who is who. The friends of God are enemies of the world and the friends of the world are enemies of God.
The enemies of God automatically become friends of the devil. The friends of God automatically become enemies of the devil.
"Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser. Teach a just man and he will increase in learning." Proverbs 9.9
A wise man thinks. A wise man is humble.
He is wise because he has invested his reason in wisdom. And above all, into God's divine wisdom.
He is humble because he listens to, learns and practices the Word of God.
"Even today my complaint is bitter, my hand is listless because of my groaning." Job 23.2
The righteous are men of revolt. When injustice reaches it's limit, he takes action and calls out to the Righteous Judge because he is certain that He will answer. His faith is violent when it comes to taking possession of what is rightfully his.
