(Philippians 3:13) One thing I do: I forget my past, and I keep pressing on toward my future.

This verse is the key to success in Christian living, and in fulfilling your call and purpose in Jesus Christ.

The apostle Paul’s phrase “one thing I do,” means this was his guiding core principle of his life. Looking back over my decades of ministry and mission,

I can agree with him. People often ask me how I have accomplished so much for God—pastor, professor, author, and missionary. There is no special secret sauce.

This verse summarizes the keys:

We must forget our past. This verse doesn’t mean we white wash the mistakes of our past, but we learn from our failures and do not repeat them. We do not allow the sin of our past to weigh us down into the muck of the moment.

Instead, we must embrace the full forgiveness and grace of God.

We must live out of our freedom in Christ.

We must keep pressing on toward our future. Anything really significant we do for God is hard work. This is why many Christians do not accomplish much, they choose comfort over difficulty and persecution. All my Christian live, and today as well, I must choose to press on through each day toward my future vision and goals. I have to press on through everyday. Everyday has its new challenges to throw us off course.

Anything really significant we accomplish for the kingdom of God will cost us, financially, relationally, and spiritually. When Jesus told us that we must pick up our cross to be his disciples, he meant it. This is not hyperbole, an exaggeration.

When we are pressing on toward our future, we must realize that daily challenges must be overcome. We must press on through our bad days, because tomorrow is a new day in God.

We must never forget that God is working behind the scenes on our behalf. There are always surprises from God, things happen that only God could have done. We must think long-term. We must always think future.

If we get caught up in the drama of each and every day, we get stuck and bogged down. We must push through them by faith and perseverance. Perseverance is everything to success.

I know this doesn’t sound rosy and sweet, but to accomplish anything big for God is like fighting a war. Because of the many battles we will face, we must have staying power, day in and day out.

I have wanted to give up numerous times, but God has never given up on me. And he will never give up on you.

Forget your past!

Press on!

Always think future!