What's behind

Beautiful picture of a 1930 Model A Ford, isn't it? Interesting color; not for the faint of heart to be sure. I like the running boards, very quaint! I like everything about it except the carry along in the back. Please do no misunderstand, I think it is nostalgic and all that, but I would think this item would slow the car to a crawl. Some of us are like the picture; we are in perfect shape, ready for anything, but we have this BAGGAGE WE CARRY ALONG WITH US that slows our progress in the Christian life to a crawl. This baggage could be a lot of things, possessions, money, additions of all sorts and even sin. To progress in the Christian life we need to get rid of the excess baggage. Listen to what the Apostle Paul says in the book of Philippians.

Php 3:1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not tiresome, but for you it is safe.
Php 3:2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision.
Php 3:3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh;
Php 3:4 though I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If any other man thinks that he has confidence in the flesh, I yet more:
Php 3:5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;
Php 3:6 concerning zeal, persecuting the assembly; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless.
Php 3:7 However, what things were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ.
Php 3:8 Yes most certainly, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and count them nothing but refuse, that I may gain Christ
Php 3:9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;
Php 3:10 that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed to his death;
Php 3:11 if by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Php 3:12 Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect; but I press on, if it is so that I may take hold of that for which also I was taken hold of by Christ Jesus.
Php 3:13 Brothers, I don't regard myself as yet having taken hold, but one thing I do. Forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before,
Php 3:14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Paul was a very zealous Jew, but he had to put that behind him and move forward with Christ. One of the hardest things to do is to put past habits behind you. I remember when I quit smoking, I was a grouch for months, but I finally did it and am I glad I did! What happens though, is when you eliminate one thing that is wrong from your life, you notice others and begin to work on them as well. In a sense Christians are perfect, because they are going on towards perfection with Christ to help. Now, if I could just get rid of just one more thing...