Commanded to Remember

Commanded to Remember
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The Word of God often commands believers to remember. We are to remember God’s benefits of forgiveness, healing, strength and mercy (Psalm 103:1-4). We are commanded to remember our former days and the fight of faith we endured (Hebrew s 10:32). We are commanded to partake of communion in “remembrance” of the Lord’s work (Luke 22:19). God commanded His disciples to remember the multiplying of the loaves and fishes when He warned them of the traps of the Pharisees and Saducees (Matthew 16:9).

Philippians 3:13 says…forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.

If we are commanded to remember so many things, why does Paul command us as believers to forget the things which are behind? We are not only to forget our past sins, but also our blessings and triumphs of the past. The word for forget means “to assign to oblivion.” How does this verse fit in with the many commandments to remember the good times and the bad? What are we to forget, and what are we to remember?

1. We are to forget anything which hinders us from advancing. In the Christian life we are either advancing or retreating. We never stand still. God wants us to advance and any hindrance should be removed, including our past.

2. We are to forget yesterday when it is at the forefront of our mind. God promises to keep us in perfect peace as our mind is stayed on Him. When the past over-shadows our ability to have our mind stayed on the Lord, we are to forget the past, assign it to oblivion and advance in our spiritual growth.

3. We are to forget the past when it is a stronghold. We are to cast down imaginations and high thoughts which exalt themselves against the knowledge of God. When the past exalts itself in our mind against the power of God’s Word, we need to take authority over Satan’s power in Jesus' name.

Ask yourself a question, do you control your memories, or do they control you? If you can control them, they can be a blessing. Past successes can bring great anticipation of future blessings. Past sins can teach the strategies of Satan so you won’t fall for them again. Yesterday is to be remembered when you are ready.

Bob Yandian