Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize –

Philippians 3:13-14

I tried to put it behind me, but it was unyielding. I prayed and cried, “Lord forgive me.”

Doesn’t the Bible promise forgiveness after confession (1Jn. 1:9)? Why don’t I feel free then?

Then someone told me about Philippians 3:13-14.

 “Just forget it and move on,” he said. “It is a thing of the past. Leave it there and look ahead.”

“That simple?”

“Yeah! That’s the power of the word.”

So, I plowed on every day, trying to forget. Like a flea on a dog, my guilt won’t go away. With bended knees and clasped hands, I continued to seek mercy. In my anguish, I cried out like Paul:

“What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?” (Rm. 7:24).

I know my oppression was because I concealed my sin like David (Ps. 32:3-4). I felt the heat of crushing bones and the heaviness of guilt, as I groaned all day long. But I have acknowledged my sin to God and have been forgiven (5-6). So, what is the problem? Could somebody explain this to me. I have tried to forget the past and press on with my life to no avail. 

I thank God for this brother who has matured through it.

“Have you confessed it to her?” he asked.

I stuttered.

“You mean her, as in my wife?”

“You got it right, brother. She reminds you of that sin every day, doesn’t she? Don’t you think her forgiveness would liberate you?”

The truth is that every sin is against God (Ps. 51:4). We must therefore confess to Him first (1Jn. 1:9). But He commands us to “confess [our] sins to each other and pray for each other so that [we] may be healed” (Jas. 5:16).

There is healing power in confessing and praying for each other. It is an honest acknowledgment of our offenses against each other before God. It relieves our conscience and allows the peace of God to flow to us. Otherwise, we violate Matthew 5:23-24 and forfeits God’s grace. That’s the Onesimus story (Philemon 1:12).

The command begins at the altar and returns to it: Leave, go, reconcile, come back, then sacrifice. Until then, your prayers are held in escrow. The Spirit of God convicts and demands our obedience. That’s what matters.

Is it difficult? Do you risk losing reputation and respect? Can it strain a beautiful relationship for a season? What does God prefer anyway – sacrifice or obedience (1 Sam. 15:22-23)?

Make no mistake. Paul was right when he said, “Forgetting the past … I press on” (Phil. 3:13-14). Nevertheless, you cannot forget the past until you clean the trash in your closet.

So, bring all the offenses out before God and the offended, and see mercy melt your guilt away, and experience the healing power of grace.