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On ‘The Gift of Forgetfulness’

ESV of Bible used here.

From the Apostle Paul’s writings in… Philippians 3:4-14.

(Philippians 3:4b-6)… If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more:  (5)  circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee;  (6)  as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

— Q1. What was Paul’s “confidence in the flesh” based on?

a/ His dual Roman / Jewish citizenship.     b/ His religious accomplishments.     c/ His money.

(Vs.7-9)… But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.  (8)  Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ  (9)  and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—

— Q2. In Vs.7, how does Paul regard or remember all that he has gained in life?

He…  a/ recollects with pride.     b/ boasts of accomplishments.     c/ disregards completely.

— Q3. In Vs.8, Paul speaks also of how he remembers hurts and losses. He tells us that he…

a/ dwells on the pain.     b/ longs for restoration.     c/ puts behind him all that’s lost, to move forward.

— Q4. Also in Vs.8 Paul tells us why he puts all experiences behind him and instead looks forward.

It is…  a/ to hide the pain.     b/ because now his goal is to follow Jesus.     c/ to run away from hurt.

(Vs.10-12)… that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,  (11)  that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.  (12)  Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.

— Q5. What does Paul desire now?

a/ He wants to suffer more.     b/ He wants to follow Jesus and gain life after death.     c/ He wants more power.

(Vs.13-14)… Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,  (14)  I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

— Q6. In Vs.13, Paul repeats the fact that he has learned to…

a/ not look to his own accomplishments.     b/ cover up his mistakes.     c/ boast of his good works.

— Q7. Also in Vs.13, Paul repeats the fact that he has learned to…

a/ hold on to the past.     b/ forget the past.     c/ run from the past.

— Q8. We close with the key of Vs.14, where Paul encourages us to be like him and…

a/ forget the past and press on to the future.     b/ boast of accomplishments.     c/ take revenge.

I offer this confirming message from the song… ‘Sail On’

Sail on… When the water gets high. Sail on… When the wind starts to die… Sail on.
It’s just a matter of minutes, Till His ship comes to get us, And we’ll all get in it. …Sail on.

Let’s all put our past behind us at the cross of Jesus, and look to the future, and sail on. …(KK)

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