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THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY SEARCHER VOLUME 6, NUMBER 33, AUGUST 20, 2006 FORGETTING THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE BEHIND I am certain that most of us are very familiar with the title of this article. It is taken from Paul’s letter to the Philippians, and is found in chapter 3:13. Let’s read that verse, as well as verse 14. “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” If ever there was a time for us here at Northern to “forget those things which are behind, and reach forth unto those things which are before” now is that time. For practically the last year this congregation has been forced by circumstances to turn inward, and to focus essentially all of our energies and efforts to dealing with situations and problems that were plaguing this church. That has been done and it is time now to move on. The Lord has given His church three works to engage in. Those works are benevolence among needy saints, edification – which is the idea of bringing the members to spiritual maturity--and evangelism. Continually dealing with problems effectively hinders the performance of those works, although dealing with problems as the Lord has set forth in His word is actually part of the maturation process of individual Christians. While no one rejoices over the things that had to be done, they had to be done and they were. Now, let’s move on. While all the works the Lord has given to the church are important, I know of no greater joy than to present the glorious gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to those who are not saved. That, brethren, is what we need to be about. I am reminded of what Paul wrote to the Thessalonian brethren in 1 Thessalonians 1:5-8. He wrote, “For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: so that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to Godward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak anything.” What an amazing compliment! Would it not be wonderful for the Holy Spirit to look upon this congregation and say, “For from you sounded out the word of the Lord…?” I am excited about the future, because it has been a long time since I have been able to “do the work of an evangelist” (2 Tim. 4:5) which is a joyous and exciting work. However, spreading the gospel is not an exclusive labor. It is for all Christians. By Jacob’s well in the land of the Samaritans, Jesus said in John 4:34-35, “My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields: for they are white already to harvest.” Brethren, we have for such a long time been looking inward, that I am afraid the fruit is about to rot in the fields if we don’t get at it. It is time to hitch up our britches, gird up our loins, fasten our seatbelts, and any other expression you can think of that means the same thing, and get busy. It is also time to pay very close attention to each other. We all have been hurt by the events that have unfolded over the last year. Some of us, including myself, have been shaken. But now the events are over. The word of God has been carried out, and that is not always an easy thing to do. But look around you and see just how many have stood absolutely firm. I am proud to be a part of so many faithful brothers and sisters in Christ who, by your conduct, have put into practice the words of Paul found in Ephesians 6:10-11; 13-14, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil…Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore…” It is tough to watch discipline being carried out and to uphold our individual part in it, but whether it is tough or not is not the important thing. The important thing is that God’s word teaches that such must be done. It is tough to lose close friends, but friendship isn’t the determining factor of what is right and what is wrong. Remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 10:34-37? The Lord said, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” So here we are with however much of a future the Lord gives us stretching before us. Let us embrace one another in all ways in the Lord. Let us “love one another” as the Lord commanded in John 13:34. Your continued presence here is indication that you understand what it means to truly “love” one another. Reach out the arm of tenderness to each other, help knees that have been weakened and shoulders that have been stooped from the burdens to stand straight and tall. Join hands, hearts, and souls together as we seek to go to heaven and take as many with us as is possible. The immediate past was rough. The future is glorious. So, “forgetting those things which are behind (in the sense of allowing them to hinder us in any way), and reaching forth unto those things which are before, let’s press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
Greg Litmer
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