Skip to main content

Go Forward, Not Backward



One of the expressions we use to describe progress is that we are “moving forward”.  Correspondingly, if we are “going backward”, we are likely regressing or retreating.

Even the old expression “two steps forward and one step backward” follows suit.  While difficulties may inhibit our progress (one step backward), at least things are still moving forward (two steps forward).

I recently read a verse in Jeremiah that offered clarity to this forward/backward thing: “But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts. They went backward and not forward.”  (Jer 7:24)

There are some clear indicators here on what causes us to go backward.  When we are not listening as we should be, we are going backward.  When we are not paying attention as we should be, we are going backward.  When we follow the stubborn inclinations of our evil hearts when we shouldn’t be, we are going backward.

Going backward, as indicated in the verse above, is not a good thing.  Forward is the direction we should be going.  The Apostle Paul put it another way:  “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”  (Phil 3:14)

While the goal likely refers to the finish line of life and the prize likely refers to the crowns that will be awarded to those who finish well, the upward call of God is probably broader.  One commentator put it this way:  “The upward call of God in Christ Jesus includes all the purposes that God had in mind in saving us.  It includes salvation, conformity to Christ, being joint heirs with Him, a home in heaven, and numberless other spiritual blessings.”

Going backward rarely, if ever, is the direction to go when the prize is before us.  So, eye on the prize, move forward and press ahead!


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Not Just Idle Words

I own a 25 year old car.  The body might be falling apart but the engine runs great and it idles smoothly.  Such idling is good. Idling can also have to do with spending too much time doing nothing or being without purpose or being engaged in that which is pointless.  Such idling is not good. What if I were to tell you that I know of something that is the about as far as being without purpose as you can get?  Would you want it? Here is that something:  “They are not just idle words for you—they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.”  ( Deut 32:47) Other versions of the Bible use some different words for that first phrase in the verse and such can be helpful in assessing how important the words really are: “Not meaningless words…”   “These are not just useless words…”   “No empty word for you…”   “Not unimportant words…”   “Not useless words…”   ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Very Present

I love words that have multiple meanings but the same spelling.  Take the word “present” for example.  You may be thinking of “present”, as in a gift.  Gotta love those! But I’m thinking of “present”, as in existing now or occurring now. I’m also thinking of “present”, as in being at hand. Why those two latter ones, you might ask, why not just go with the gift! Well, I recently read Psalm 46, and here is the first verse:   “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Some theologians suggest the word “present” in this Psalm has the meaning of “well proven”.  I certainly can appreciate that. But I’ve been wondering if “present” could include the meaning of “now existing or now occurring”.  That is, God is exists now and is occurring in our lives. Furthermore, I’ve been wondering if “present” could also include “being at hand”.  That is, God is here, right now, with us.   And with even further wondering, the wo...
Post a Comment
Read more

Be Amazed!

Be amazed… Jesus welcomed sinners …The Pharisees and legal experts were grumbling, saying, “This man welcomes sinners… (Luke 15:2) Jesus hung out with sinners …And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” (Luke 19:7) Jesus ate with sinners …And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” (Matt 9:11) Jesus was a friend of sinners …The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ (Matt 11:19) With Jesus being so welcoming, what did people do? People came to see Him …They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” (John 12:21) People came to hear Him …Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. (Luke 15:1) People followed Him …While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many ta...
Post a Comment
Read more