One more principle we should notice about Paul’s mistake and his imprisonment in Rome.  We all will make mistakes.  We may sin, or compromise what we know to be the Word and will of God.  But our Christian life is all about the principle Paul brought out in his letter to the Philippians, which he wrote while in prison in Rome.

 

Philippians 3:13

13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,

 

There’s one thing to notice in what Paul does.  He never blames anybody else for his predicament.  And there were certainly plenty of people he could have blamed:

 

What about James?  It was his idea for Paul to join in and make the vow.  What about the other pastors who were in Jerusalem?  They went right along with it.  What about the believers in the Churches in Jerusalem?  They certainly didn’t defend Paul.  What about the Jews from Asia, who started the whole riot that got Paul thrown in prison?  What about the governor (Felix from Acts 23:24), who kept Paul in jail for a long time expecting money as a bribe?

 

Paul had a lot of people that he could have pointed the finger at.  But he took responsibility for his own decisions, and then put it behind him.  What a great attitude to have!  We have that same choice every moment of every day.  When something goes wrong, do you look around and see who shares the blame for it, or do you take responsibility for it, and put it behind you?

 

We can never change our past.  You can’t go back and unmake that mistake.  You can never change the fact that other people will act certain ways.  You can only determine your own attitude. 

 

Quit blaming the past for your present!  Quit complaining, making excuses, and blaming others when things don’t turn out right. 

 

Paul could easily have written in Philippians about how everyone had mistreated him, but he doesn’t mention a word about it.  Paul had learned a great lesson – nothing happens in your life unless the Lord allows it to happen.  What a comfort to know that everything that happens is in the hands of the Lord!  When you truly believe this, why would you ever blame others?!

 

If you are unhappy, worried about your mistakes, feeling guilty, and unhappy, there is one thing to remember.  IT IS NOT SOMEONE ELSE’S FAULT!  You are the only one who can determine your attitude.

 

So do this one thing, as Paul says, forget what lies behind and reach forward to what God has in store for you.