Philippians 3:13-14 “Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.”

It’s been about three weeks now since I got my new Apple computer. I love that it has a smaller footprint than my PC, that it doesn’t take hours to boot up etc. But there’s one problem. My old PC is still on my desk. The snakepit of wires is still cluttering the desk and floor while my lovely new iMac teeters dangerously on a wobbly TV stand beside it. Since there’s barely enough room to turn around in my study anyway, one false move by the cat and we’re all toast.

Why is my old PC still there, you ask? Well, suppose I discover that I can’t do something I need to do on my new machine? Suppose there’s some bit of information I’ll need later that I missed when I transferred my data? Suppose the scanner won’t work with my Apple? You get the picture. Even though it’s been about two weeks since I’ve turned the PC on, it’s hard to actually do the deed and let the old ways go.

Paul is dealing with change that is even harder as he writes to the church in Philippi. He is letting go of his ideas about salvation, the ideas that he taught as a Pharisee and even persecuted others for opposing. And the question of salvation matters to him now. He’s writing from prison and knows the end of his life may well be approaching. He is giving up the notion that following a pile of rules and literally adhering to the laws of Scripture will get him any divine brownie points and is betting it all on the grace of God and the promise of resurrection.

Back in verse ten, Paul says, “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.” When he says he’s forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, that’s the context. What lies behind is earthly life as a Pharisee with its strict adherence to the law. What lies ahead is, quite literally, his death. But his experience of Jesus has been so incredible that he’s ready to unplug the old system and take the plunge. Jesus went to death first and came out the other side. Paul can’t quite be sure that the same will be true for him, even though he’s been using the new system for some time. “…if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead” he says. But he’s willing to risk it. His eggs are going in the Jesus basket…even now, when it’s all or nothing as the executioner awaits.

That’s what faith is. It’s not completely blind…Paul has been living as a Christian for a while. But neither is there any way to be certain what will await him until his death actually comes. Faith and knowledge are different things. If we know something beyond a shadow of a doubt, that’s not faith. Faith is replacing the old even before you are completely certain that the new thing will do what it’s supposed to do. It’s not something we do lightly. But, once we’ve investigated all we can; once we’ve transferred all the files and tossed what doesn’t apply; once we’ve used the system enough to see its benefits and realize how much more fulfilling it is, it’s time to cut the cord to the old.

You have led the way, Jesus. Help us to follow without fear.

New social network! In my work as Executive Director of the Massachusetts Bible Society, I’ve created a new social network for those who relate to a broader view of biblical texts than fundamentalism represents. The design of the page will change when the new MBS website goes live, but it’s open now for profiles to be posted and the site can be fully used. If you want to join us, sign up and post a profile at www.massbible.ning.com.

SpiritWalkers is available in audio as a podcast.  Visit www.annerobertson.com/poddevotions.html to subscribe or to listen online.

Be sure to check out my books: Blowing the Lid Off the God-Box and God’s Top 10: Blowing the Lid Off the Commandments.  Order now on Amazon.com or check local bookstores.