“Don't Look Back”

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

BIBLE READING: Luke 9.57-62

“Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”” (Luke 9.62)

A farmer who looks behind only sees what they’ve already done. They see their success and failures. Maybe there are changes that need to be made, but the problem is they are not headed that direction anymore. They have pressing work right in front of them. They need to look at where they are going and take care of that. So, it is for the kingdom citizen. By investing ourselves in the past, we can become proud of successes or discouraged by failures and fail to see the opportunity in front of us.

According to Jesus, this is not appropriate for a kingdom citizen. We are called to “[forget] what lies behind and press forward to what lies ahead” (Philippians 3.13). This is not telling us to ignore life experience and wisdom we have gained but to grow. By God’s grace we are not who we used to be. God has and will continue to expose our sins and failures so we can make changes and move forward to better things. In fact, he expects it. He would not offer forgiveness so freely if it were not possible (1 John 1.8-10). Better things are ahead. To look back is to reject the grace God offers and to prove unfit for the kingdom.

What exactly does it mean for us to look back? It is fixating on situations you cannot control. It is focusing on irrelevant activities that feed your ego. It is wallowing in self-pity. It is defining your identity in Christ by your past successes. None of these are productive for the present or the future; and yet, these dilute the faith of many believers. Many are like the man who was willing to follow Jesus but wanted a little more time getting closure his way (Luke 9.61). The problem is closure our way is usually an effort to maintain control. These efforts will not only disappoint but will fail to cultivate deeper trust in Jesus. The fact is, we all have succeeded and failed in the past. But that is not what defines the believer. We look at ahead trusting Jesus, working at what is in front of us to get us closer to the kingdom.

Kingdom citizens must set their sight on Jesus’ calling, trusting the way he leads. If we begin thinking of where we came from, there will be opportunity to return. But if we seek better things – a home prepared by God – we will set our sights, our hearts and our efforts ahead (see Hebrews 11.13-16). Most importantly, kingdom citizens realize the grace and opportunity of Jesus’ calling in the present. They focus on the mercy and forgiveness shown to them and are thankful they are not who they used to be. You may feel weak and incapable, but God’s grace is sufficient so that you can have boldness and confidence to do the work God has called you to do. If you are a citizen of the kingdom, get your eyes ahead and don’t look back.

“…we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2.10)

Share