by Bill Hall
Living Oracles, 1978
A man never reaches a point in his life when he can relax in his struggle against the evil one. No one was more aware of this fact than was the apostle Paul. While on his third preaching tour, the mature, experienced apostle wrote to the saints in Corinth: “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway”  (1 Cor. 9:27).
Later, while in prison at Rome, writing to his beloved in Philippi, he acknowledged that he had not already attained, neither was already perfect; that considerable struggle yet lay ahead (Phil. 3:12). Crucial in that struggle was Paul’s ability to forget some things.
Paul had to forget what might have been. This writer once heard a young entertainer make the statement, “I’m going to give it all up; a person just cannot be a Christian and be successful in the entertainment field.” All who heard the statement applauded the faith of the young man and marveled at his strength as he went back home to carry out his …