How Do You Move Forward When Your Past Holds You Back?
In Part 3 of Shine, Pastor Zoe Hatcher shares a message from Philippians 3 at Open Arms Community Church in Bradford, PA, about letting go of what holds us back and pressing on toward knowing Jesus. Whether we’re carrying guilt over past mistakes or placing our confidence in what we’ve accomplished, Christ invites us to receive His grace and keep growing in our relationship with Him.
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Where Can You Find Joy When Life Is Hard?
Happiness can change quickly. A good morning can become a difficult afternoon. An unexpected bill, a painful conversation, or disappointing news can shift how we feel.
Joy rooted in Christ can remain through those changes. It comes from knowing Him and trusting that we belong to Him, even when life is uncomfortable.
John Wesley and his fellow preacher John Nelson experienced that kind of discomfort while traveling to share the gospel. They sometimes slept on the floor and had little to eat. After weeks of those conditions, Wesley still found something to laugh about. With one side sore from sleeping on the hard floor, he encouraged Nelson to be cheerful because he still had one good side left.
Their circumstances gave them plenty of reasons to complain. Their relationship with Christ gave them a reason to keep going.
We can acknowledge our difficulties and still recognize God’s goodness. Contentment grows as we learn to value His presence more deeply than our comfort.
Can Being a Good Person Make You Right With God?
Paul begins Philippians 3 by challenging those who insisted that believers needed certain religious credentials and practices to be accepted by God.
Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. 3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence.
Paul understood the world of religious achievement. He had the background, education, discipline, and reputation that others admired. If salvation depended on a spiritual résumé, he would have had an impressive one.
But meeting Jesus changed how he understood all of it.
If someone else thinks they have reasons to put 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; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.
7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, 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 is through faith in[a] Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Paul’s credentials could never accomplish what he needed most. They could not forgive his sin or make him right with God.
We can place the same kind of confidence in our own background. Perhaps we were raised in church. Our parents were Christians. We have served faithfully, learned Scripture, or worked hard to be decent people.
Those things can have value. They cannot earn salvation.
Salvation comes through faith in Christ.
The same truth brings encouragement to people who feel they lack the right background. God knows our history, our limitations, and our weaknesses. We can trust His call without pretending to have qualifications we do not possess.
Our confidence belongs in Him.
What Matters More Than Knowing Christ?
Paul came to consider his former gains a loss compared with the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus.
That invites us to examine our own priorities. What receives our best attention? What do we pursue most eagerly? What would we struggle to surrender if God asked us to lay it down?
Education, work, family responsibilities, and personal goals all have a place in our lives. But even worthwhile pursuits can crowd out our relationship with Christ.
It is possible to become so busy improving our lives that we neglect the One who gives us life.
No amount of discipline, religious effort, or self-improvement can produce the righteousness we need. God gives us right standing with Him through Jesus.
God made him who had no sin to be sin[a] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Christ takes our sin and gives us His righteousness. We receive that gift by trusting Him.
Knowing Him becomes our greatest goal because everything else finds its proper place in that relationship.
What Are You Still Holding On To?
Paul wanted to know Christ, experience His resurrection power, and share in His sufferings. Following Jesus involved surrender.
We want the new life He offers, but we can struggle to release the old habits and attachments that keep pulling us backward.
A dog rolling in garbage gives us an uncomfortable picture of that tendency. After being cleaned up, the dog heads outside and finds something filthy to roll in again. What should have been left behind gets carried back into the house.
We sometimes return to familiar things that harm us. We hold on to pride because it makes us feel important. We cling to habits because they comfort us. We revisit parts of our old life because they still seem appealing.
What are we willing to give up to know Christ more deeply?
It may be time in a crowded schedule. It may be someone’s approval. It may be a pleasure, a plan, or a habit that keeps competing with obedience.
Jesus calls us to release those things and walk in the life He gives. Our hope reaches beyond the present moment into a future with Him.
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.
John and the Angel
6 The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.”
7 “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.”
That future helps us recognize what is worth holding on to today.
Can You Be Forgiven After Walking Away?
Sometimes our greatest obstacle is guilt.
We remember what we did. We know the choices we made. Perhaps we knew Jesus and still chose to walk away. Returning can feel difficult when we believe we should have known better.
Paul had painful things in his past. He had persecuted the church. His religious achievements could not erase the harm he had caused.
Yet Christ met him, forgave him, and gave his life a new direction.
If we believe our sin is beyond forgiveness, we need to consider what we are saying about Jesus’ sacrifice. Do we believe His death was enough for everyone else, but somehow insufficient for us?
His grace reaches us, too.
Receiving forgiveness means being honest about our sin, turning toward Christ, and trusting what He has done. We can acknowledge the seriousness of our choices without remaining trapped in shame.
Where our actions have harmed others, obedience may include making amends and accepting consequences. We can take those steps as forgiven people.
Our past does not have to keep us from following Jesus today.
What Should You Do With Your Guilt?
Paul surrendered his guilt to Jesus.
He did not need to hide it, excuse it, numb it, or keep punishing himself for it. Christ offered mercy, and Paul trusted Him.
Jesus illustrated that same dependence on mercy through a story about two men praying in the temple.
o some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
The Pharisee listed his religious accomplishments and compared himself favorably with others. The tax collector stood at a distance, aware of his sin, and asked God for mercy.
Jesus said the tax collector went home justified before God.
We do not approach God with a speech about how impressive we are. We can come honestly, admitting our need and trusting His grace.
That gives us a place to bring our guilt. We can confess it, surrender it, and begin walking in obedience.
Do You Know Jesus Personally?
Knowing facts about someone is different from knowing that person.
We can read theology, study Scripture, and understand Christian teaching while still neglecting fellowship with Jesus. Learning matters, but its purpose is to draw us into a deeper relationship with Him.
Paul’s desire was to know Christ personally.
That relationship continues to grow. Even Paul acknowledged that he had not arrived at his goal. He was still pressing on.
We can take encouragement from that. Being a work in progress does not mean God has abandoned His work in us.
Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest.
Fixing our thoughts on Jesus helps us move forward. We learn to recognize His voice through Scripture, bring our lives to Him in prayer, and respond with obedience.
How Do You Keep Growing in Your Faith?
Paul describes a life directed toward a lasting goal.
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
Our growth requires attention and desire. We cannot expect a deepening relationship with Jesus while continually giving Him whatever time is left over.
Open the Bible. Make time to pray. Respond to what God shows you. Stay connected to people who will encourage you and help you remain faithful.
Christian community matters because we need one another. Isolation can make it easier to drift. Within the church family, we can receive encouragement, accountability, and help when following Jesus becomes difficult.
We also need to resist becoming stuck in yesterday. Past mistakes can hold us there, but so can past victories. We may remember a meaningful season of faith so fondly that we stop pursuing Christ in the present.
God has more for us to learn and more work to do in us.
We press on because we have received His grace. We are responding to His love as we grow in our knowledge of Him.
What Is Your Next Step Today?
Take a few quiet moments to consider what is holding your attention and shaping your decisions.
Are you trying to prove that you deserve God’s acceptance? Are you carrying guilt He has invited you to surrender? Is there something you need to release so you can follow Him more freely?
Choose one concrete response this week. Set aside time for prayer. Return to Scripture. Reach out to someone who will help you grow. Confess what you have been avoiding.
As we prepare our hearts for communion, we remember the grace Jesus has already given us through His death and resurrection. We can come to Him honestly and receive that gift with gratitude.
The goal before us is to know Christ and make Him known.
Pray This Today
Father,
Thank You for loving us and sending Jesus to bring us back to You.
Forgive us for trusting in our achievements, holding on to our pride, and returning to things You have called us to leave behind. Help us receive Your forgiveness where guilt has kept us stuck.
Show us what needs to change. Give us the desire to know You more deeply and the willingness to make room for You in our lives.
Keep our eyes on Jesus. Help us grow together, encourage one another, and press on toward the life You have called us to live.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Ready to Take Your Next Step?
You don’t have to have everything figured out before you come to church. Whether you’re exploring faith, returning after time away, or looking for a church family where you can grow, we’d love to welcome you.
Open Arms Community Church
71 Congress Street, Bradford, PA
Sundays at 10:00 AM
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