SOME THINGS MUST BE LEFT BEHIND

SOME THINGS MUST BE LEFT BEHIND

THE DISCIPLINE OF RELEASE

Key Scripture

📖 Philippians 3:13–14 (NKJV)

"Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

📖 Hebrews 12:1 (NKJV)

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us."

Introduction

There is a fundamental principle in the Christian life that every believer must embrace if they are to run their race with endurance: some things must be left behind. You cannot carry everything into your future. You cannot drag your past into your destiny. You cannot run with weights strapped to your ankles and expect to finish the race. Some things must be released. Some things must be abandoned. Some things must be left behind.

The Apostle Paul understood this. He had a past. He had persecuted the church. He had approved of the murder of Stephen. He had blasphemed the name of Christ. He had a lot to look back on. But he also had a lot to look forward to. And he made a choice. He chose to forget what was behind and press forward to what was ahead. He wrote, "Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

The Greek word for "forgetting" is epilanthanomai, which means to forget, to neglect, or to put out of mind. It does not mean a literal erasure of memory. Paul did not forget that he had persecuted the church. He recounted it in his letters (1 Corinthians 15:9; 1 Timothy 1:13-15). But he did not let it define him. He did not let it control him. He did not let it keep him from his destiny. He made a deliberate choice to release the past. He let go of his failures. He let go of his regrets. He let go of his achievements. He let go of his wounds. He let go of everything that would hold him back.

The writer of Hebrews echoes this truth: "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." The Greek word for "lay aside" is apotithēmi, which means to put off, to cast off, or to lay down. The word for "weight" is ogkos, which means a weight, a burden, or an encumbrance. It is not necessarily a sin; it is anything that slows you down. It could be a good thing that has become the main thing. It could be a distraction. It could be a relationship. It could be a possession. It could be a habit. The writer is saying, "Lay aside every weight. Get rid of anything that hinders your progress. Get rid of anything that slows you down."

This teaching is for everyone who is running the race. It is for the one who is carrying too much. It is for the one who has been dragging the past into the present. It is for the one who has been holding onto things that are hindering their progress. It is for the one who needs to learn that some things must be left behind. It is time to release. It is time to lay aside. It is time to run with endurance. It is time to leave some things behind.

Biblical Truth

Philippians 3:13–14 and Hebrews 12:1 together provide a powerful biblical framework for understanding the importance of leaving some things behind. They reveal that we are to forget what lies behind and press forward, and that we are to lay aside every weight and the sin that ensnares us.

Philippians 3:13–14 is Paul's personal testimony of pressing forward. He writes, "Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

Paul begins with humility: "I do not count myself to have apprehended." The Greek word for "apprehended" is katalambanō, which means to lay hold of, to grasp, or to attain. Paul is saying, "I have not yet arrived. I am not perfect. I am still on the journey." This is a crucial starting point. If we think we have arrived, we will stop growing. If we think we have it all figured out, we will stop learning. Paul knew that he was a work in progress.

Then he gives his focus: "But one thing I do." The Greek word for "one thing" is hen, which emphasizes singularity and focus. Paul was not distracted by many things. He had one thing on his mind. He had one goal. He had one priority. He was single-minded.

The one thing he does is twofold. First, "forgetting those things which are behind." The Greek word for "forgetting" is epilanthanomai, which means to forget, to neglect, or to put out of mind. It does not mean a literal erasure of memory. Paul did not forget that he had persecuted the church. He recounted it in his letters (1 Corinthians 15:9; 1 Timothy 1:13-15). But he did not let it define him. He did not let it control him. He did not let it keep him from his destiny. He made a deliberate choice to release the past. He let go of his failures. He let go of his regrets. He let go of his achievements. He let go of his wounds. He let go of everything that would hold him back.

Second, "reaching forward to those things which are ahead." The Greek word for "reaching forward" is epekteinomai, which means to stretch out, to extend, or to reach toward. It is the picture of a runner who is straining toward the finish line. The runner does not look back. The runner does not slow down. The runner does not get distracted. The runner is focused, determined, and intentional. Paul is saying, "I am stretching forward. I am pressing on. I am not looking back. I am looking ahead."

Then he gives his goal: "I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." The Greek word for "press" is diōkō, which means to pursue, to chase, or to run after. It is an intense, aggressive pursuit. The word for "goal" is skopos, which means a mark, a target, or a destination. It is the same word from which we get "scope." The word for "prize" is brabeion, which means a reward, a prize, or a trophy. It was the prize awarded to the winner of an athletic competition. Paul is saying, "I am running toward the finish line. I am pursuing the prize. I am chasing the goal. I am not stopping until I reach it."

Hebrews 12:1 expands on this truth. The writer writes, "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us."

The Greek word for "witnesses" is martys, which means a witness, a martyr, or one who testifies. The "great cloud of witnesses" refers to the heroes of faith listed in Hebrews 11—Abraham, Moses, David, and countless others who lived and died by faith. They are not spectators watching us from heaven; they are witnesses testifying to us that the life of faith is worth it. They are examples of those who endured, who persevered, who stayed faithful to the end.

The Greek word for "lay aside" is apotithēmi, which means to put off, to cast off, or to lay down. The word for "weight" is ogkos, which means a weight, a burden, or an encumbrance. It is not necessarily a sin; it is anything that slows you down. It could be a good thing that has become the main thing. It could be a distraction. It could be a relationship. It could be a possession. It could be a habit. The writer is saying, "Lay aside every weight. Get rid of anything that hinders your progress. Get rid of anything that slows you down."

The Greek word for "sin" is hamartia, which means sin, error, or missing the mark. The phrase "which so easily ensnares us" is euperistatos, which means easily entangling, easily surrounding, or easily besetting. Sin is not just a weight; it is a snare. It entangles. It traps. It trips you up. It keeps you from running. The writer is saying, "Lay aside the sin that so easily ensnares you. Get rid of it. Confess it. Repent of it. Turn from it."

The Greek word for "run" is trechō, which means to run, to race, or to sprint. It is a present tense verb, indicating ongoing action. We are to keep running. We are to keep racing. We are to keep pressing on. The word for "endurance" is hypomonē, which means patience, perseverance, or steadfastness. We are to run with endurance. We are to run with patience. We are to run with perseverance. The word for "race" is agōn, which means a contest, a struggle, or a conflict. The Christian life is a race. It is a contest. It is a struggle. And we must run it with endurance.

The principle of leaving things behind is woven throughout Scripture. Abraham left his homeland and his father's house to go to a land God would show him (Genesis 12:1). He did not let his past keep him from his destiny. Moses left Egypt and the palace of Pharaoh to identify with his people (Hebrews 11:24-26). He did not let his past define his future. Ruth left Moab and her gods to follow Naomi and the God of Israel (Ruth 1:16). She did not let her past disqualify her from God's blessing. Peter left his fishing nets to follow Jesus (Matthew 4:20). He did not let his past career keep him from his calling. Matthew left his tax booth to become a disciple (Matthew 9:9). He did not let his past profession keep him from his purpose. Paul left his life as a Pharisee to become an apostle to the Gentiles (Philippians 3:7-8). He did not let his past achievements or his past failures keep him from his destiny. The pattern is clear: the people of God leave things behind. They release the past. They lay aside the weights. They run the race. And they press toward the prize.

The example of Jesus is our ultimate model. Jesus did not live in the past. He did not dwell on His rejection in Nazareth. He did not dwell on the unbelief of the crowds. He did not dwell on the betrayal of Judas. He did not dwell on the denial of Peter. He pressed forward. He set His face like a flint toward Jerusalem. He endured the cross. He despised the shame. He sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2). He learned from His suffering, but He did not live in it. And because He did, He fulfilled His purpose and secured our salvation.

What We Often Get Wrong

The first and most common error is that we hold onto the past. We dwell on our failures. We replay our mistakes. We rehearse our hurts. We relive our traumas. We are defined by what happened to us or what we did. We cannot move forward because we are constantly looking backward. We are stuck in a prison of our own making. We have learned nothing from the past because we are too busy living in it.

Second, we carry unnecessary weights. We allow things into our lives that slow us down. We allow distractions, encumbrances, and entanglements. We allow good things to become the main thing. We allow relationships, possessions, habits, and hobbies to hinder our progress. We must lay aside every weight. We must get rid of anything that slows us down. We must travel lightly. We must run unencumbered.

Third, we hold onto sin. We allow sin to remain in our lives. We entertain it. We tolerate it. We justify it. We rationalize it. But sin is a snare. It entangles. It traps. It trips us up. It keeps us from running. We must lay aside the sin that so easily ensnares us. We must confess it. We must repent of it. We must turn from it. We must put it to death.

Fourth, we believe that we cannot move on. We think that because of what happened, our future is ruined. We think that because of our failures, we are disqualified. We think that because of our wounds, we are broken beyond repair. But this is a lie from the enemy. The blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7). His grace is sufficient for every failure (2 Corinthians 12:9). His mercy is new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). We can move on. We can be healed. We can be restored. We can be made new.

Fifth, we confuse learning with living. We think that because we have learned from the past, we must keep the past alive. We think that because we have been wounded, we must keep the wound open. We think that because we have failed, we must keep punishing ourselves. But this is not learning; it is living in the past. Learning from the past means extracting the lesson and moving on. Living in the past means being stuck in the pain. We must learn from it, but we must not live in it.

Sixth, we let the past define our identity. We say, "I am a victim. I am a failure. I am broken. I am worthless." But this is not who you are. You are a child of God (John 1:12). You are redeemed (Ephesians 1:7). You are forgiven (Ephesians 4:32). You are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). You are loved (Jeremiah 31:3). Your past does not define you. Your identity is in Christ.

Seventh, we forget that the reward is worth it. We focus on the cost of leaving things behind. We focus on what we are giving up. We focus on what we are losing. But we should focus on the reward. We should focus on what we are gaining. We should focus on the prize. The reward is worth it. The prize is worth it. The crown is worth it. The joy is worth it.

God's Perspective

God views your past as forgiven. When you confess your sins, He is faithful and just to forgive you and cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). He casts your sins into the depths of the sea (Micah 7:19). He removes them as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). He remembers them no more (Hebrews 8:12). Your past is under the blood. It is gone. It is forgiven. You can let it go.

God's perspective is that He is doing a new thing. He is not stuck in the past. He is not confined to what He did before. He is always creating. He is always redeeming. He is always transforming. He is making a road in the wilderness. He is causing rivers to flow in the desert. He is bringing life out of death. He is bringing beauty out of ashes. He is doing something new in your life right now. Open your eyes to see it.

God sees your failures as opportunities for grace. He does not hold your failures against you. He does not reject you because of your mistakes. He extends grace. He offers mercy. He provides forgiveness. He takes your failures and weaves them into a tapestry of grace. He uses your weaknesses to display His strength. He uses your brokenness to reveal His healing. He uses your mess to create a message.

God's perspective is that He has a future for you. He has plans for you—plans of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). His plans are good. His purposes are good. His will for you is good. The future He has for you is bright. It is hopeful. It is full of purpose. Do not let the past rob you of the future. Do not let your yesterday define your tomorrow.

God sees your story as not yet finished. He is still writing. He is still working. He is still redeeming. He is still restoring. He is still preparing. The best is yet to come. The final chapter has not been written. There is still hope. There is still purpose. There is still destiny. Do not give up. Do not lose heart. Do not live in the past. Press forward. Reach ahead. The prize awaits.

God's perspective is that you are a new creation. If you are in Christ, you are a new creation. Old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17). Your past does not define you. Your old identity is gone. Your old nature is gone. Your old patterns are gone. You are new. You are fresh. You are alive. You are a child of God. You are a co-heir with Christ. You are a saint. You are beloved. You are chosen. You are called. You are His.

Practical Application

Identify What Must Be Left Behind: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal what you need to leave behind. Is it a past failure? A past hurt? A past relationship? A past identity? A weight? A sin? A distraction? Name it. Write it down. Then consciously and deliberately release it to God. Say, "Lord, I release this to You. I let go of this. I leave it behind."

Confess and Receive Forgiveness: If there is sin in your past that you have not confessed, confess it now. If you have confessed it, receive God's forgiveness. Do not keep punishing yourself for something God has already forgiven. Do not keep bringing up what God has already buried. Accept His grace. Accept His mercy. Accept His cleansing. Let it go.

Forgive Those Who Hurt You: Unforgiveness is a chain that binds you to the past. It keeps the wound open. It keeps the pain alive. Forgive those who have hurt you. Release them to God. Do not let them keep you imprisoned in the past. Forgiveness is not excusing what they did. It is releasing yourself from the burden of bitterness.

Lay Aside Every Weight: Identify the weights in your life—the things that slow you down, the distractions, the encumbrances, the entanglements. Write them down. Then, consciously and deliberately lay them aside. Say, "Lord, I lay this aside. I let go of this. I release this. I give it to You." Do not carry unnecessary weights. Travel lightly. Run unencumbered.

Renew Your Mind: Your past has shaped your thinking. It has planted lies in your mind. Lies about who you are, what you deserve, and what you can become. Renew your mind with the Word of God. Replace the lies with truth. Declare what God says about you. You are loved. You are forgiven. You are redeemed. You are new. You are chosen. You are called. You are His.

Focus on the Present and the Future: Do not let the past steal your present. Focus on what God is doing right now. Focus on the opportunities He has placed before you today. Focus on the people He has placed in your life right now. Focus on the purpose He has for you today. Live in the present. Enjoy the present. Redeem the present. And look forward to the future. God has a future for you. It is bright. It is hopeful. It is full of purpose.

Run with Endurance: The race is not a sprint; it is a marathon. It requires endurance. It requires perseverance. It requires patience. It requires a long-term perspective. Do not grow weary. Do not give up. Do not lose heart. Keep running. Keep pressing on. Keep putting one foot in front of the other. The finish line is ahead. The prize is waiting. The reward is coming. Run with endurance. Run with your eyes on Jesus. Run to the end.

Ask Yourself

What am I still holding onto from the past?

What weights am I carrying that I need to lay aside?

Is there sin in my life that I need to confess and forsake?

Have I truly forgiven those who have hurt me?

Am I living in the past, or am I pressing toward the future?

Am I running with endurance, or am I growing weary?

Am I keeping my eyes on Jesus?

What must I leave behind to run my race?

Reflection

Some things must be left behind. This is the truth. This is the call. This is the invitation. You cannot carry everything into your future. You cannot drag your past into your destiny. You cannot run with weights strapped to your ankles and expect to finish the race. Some things must be released. Some things must be abandoned. Some things must be left behind.

Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. This is the confession. This is the pursuit. This is the path. Forget what lies behind. Reach forward to what lies ahead. Press toward the goal. Pursue the prize. Leave the past behind. Embrace the future. Run your race. Finish your course. Keep the faith. And receive the crown.

Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. This is the truth. This is the call. This is the invitation. Lay aside every weight. Get rid of anything that slows you down. Lay aside the sin that so easily ensnares you. Confess it. Repent of it. Turn from it. Run with endurance. Run the race that is set before you. Keep your eyes on Jesus. He is the author and finisher of your faith. He will lead you to the finish line. He will bring you home.

So identify what must be left behind. Confess and receive forgiveness. Forgive those who hurt you. Lay aside every weight. Renew your mind. Focus on the present and the future. Run with endurance. And leave behind what must be left behind. Because some things must be left behind. And when you leave them behind, you will run lighter. You will run faster. You will run farther. You will run with endurance. And you will finish the race. You will receive the prize. You will hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Prayer

Father, I confess that I have been holding onto things that I need to leave behind. I have been carrying weights that I need to lay aside. I have been dwelling on the past instead of pressing toward the future. I have been holding onto sin that I need to confess and forsake. Forgive me. Today, I choose to leave behind what must be left behind. I release the past to You. I lay aside every weight. I confess my sin. I receive Your forgiveness. I forgive those who have hurt me. I renew my mind with Your truth. I press toward the goal. I run with endurance. I keep my eyes on Jesus. Help me to leave behind what must be left behind. Help me to run my race with endurance. Help me to finish well. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen.

Declaration

I declare that some things must be left behind. I will not carry the past into my future. I will not drag my yesterday into my tomorrow. I will not run with weights strapped to my ankles. I will lay aside every weight. I will lay aside the sin that so easily ensnares me. I will forget those things which are behind. I will reach forward to those things which are ahead. I will press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. I will run with endurance the race that is set before me. I will keep my eyes on Jesus. He is the author and finisher of my faith. I will leave behind what must be left behind. I will release the past. I will embrace the future. I will run my race. I will finish my course. I will keep the faith. I will receive the crown. Some things must be left behind. And I leave them behind. I leave them behind. I leave them behind.

Concluding Scripture

📖 Philippians 3:13–14 (NKJV)

"Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

A Final Word

Some things must be left behind. This is the truth. This is the call. This is the invitation. You cannot carry everything into your future. You cannot drag your past into your destiny. You cannot run with weights strapped to your ankles and expect to finish the race. Some things must be released. Some things must be abandoned. Some things must be left behind.

Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. This is the confession. This is the pursuit. This is the path. Forget what lies behind. Reach forward to what lies ahead. Press toward the goal. Pursue the prize. Leave the past behind. Embrace the future. Run your race. Finish your course. Keep the faith. And receive the crown.

Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. This is the truth. This is the call. This is the invitation. Lay aside every weight. Get rid of anything that slows you down. Lay aside the sin that so easily ensnares you. Confess it. Repent of it. Turn from it. Run with endurance. Run the race that is set before you. Keep your eyes on Jesus. He is the author and finisher of your faith. He will lead you to the finish line. He will bring you home.

So identify what must be left behind. Confess and receive forgiveness. Forgive those who hurt you. Lay aside every weight. Renew your mind. Focus on the present and the future. Run with endurance. And leave behind what must be left behind. Because some things must be left behind. And when you leave them behind, you will run lighter. You will run faster. You will run farther. You will run with endurance. And you will finish the race. You will receive the prize. You will hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant."