Standing on Our Accolades

In the academic world, it is very enticing to constantly refer to our past achievements, to bring one current glory. Besides, they allow one to gain recognition through making presentations at various conferences and assuming the role of ‘resident expert’. But does that work in Yahveh’s world?

Rav Sha’ul, the Apostle Paul, has dealt with this issue in his own life and provides with his insight, as recorded in Philippians 3:13,14 – Brothers, I, for my part, do not think of myself as having yet gotten hold of it; but one thing I do: forgetting what is behind me and straining forward toward what lies ahead,  I keep pursuing the goal in order to win the prize offered by God’s upward calling in the Messiah Yeshua. Sha’ul’s former life, as an ‘enforcer’ for the Sanhedrin, the Religious Court of the Jews, had achieved a good deal of attention and fame, amongst the leaders of the day, and notoriety amongst Messianic Jews. All this he abandoned, when he came to believe in Adonai Yeshua, the Lord Jesus, and began a new life as a disciple of the Master. Sha’ul expands on this in 2 Corinthians 5:15-17 – So from now on, we do not look at anyone from a worldly viewpoint. Even if we once regarded the Messiah from a worldly viewpoint, we do so no longer.  Therefore, if anyone is united with the Messiah, he is a new creation — the old has passed; look, what has come is fresh and new!

As new creations, we can no longer stand on our accolades, rather, we acknowledge all that we have, all that we are and all that we do originates in Yahveh, the One True Elohim, through His Son, Adonai Yeshua, by Ruach HaKadosh, the Holy Spirit of the Living God. There are many passages in both the TaNaKh, the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) and the Brit Chadashah, the Apostolic Scriptures (New Testament) which support this claim. For example, in Jeremiah 29:11-13a we read, For I know what plans I have in mind for you,’ says Adonai, ‘plans for well-being, not for bad things; so that you can have hope and a future. When you call to me and pray to me, I will listen to you. When you seek me, you will find me, provided you seek for me wholeheartedly; and I will let you find me,’ says Adonai. And, then, in Philippians 4:19, Ruach HaKadosh speaks through Rav Sha’ul – Moreover my God will fill every need of yours according to his glorious wealth, in union with the Messiah Yeshua. Is this not assurance enough of the working of His love and support for us? Do we need more assurance of His Love, Grace, Mercies and Blessings in our lives?

CONSIDER: To what extent do your past achievement, your accolades, play a role in your current life? To what extend do your past accolades define you today? Do you truly understand how clinging to your past achievements may be hindering your voyage towards righteousness?

ACT: Move forward; abandon your past; recognise you are a new creation; rely on the Love, Grace, Mercies and Blessings of El Shaddai, Almighty God. Focus on Him and He will reveal His plans for you, as you need them revealed.

PRAY: Yadid Elohim, Beloved God, how I long to fully rely on you for all my needs and my desires. I anticipate the day when I have fully surrendered to your Will and accept your plans for my life. This free choice is anything but easy – it is the most difficult decision any believer can make. Stepping forward to you is shedding our ego, our selfish desires, our own control. Please help me be at peace, in this moment of decision.  In Your Beloved Name I pray.

May the God of Avraham, Isaac and Jacob bless you richly.