On May 6, 1954, Roger Bannister became the first man in history to run a mile in less than 4 minutes. Within 2 months, John Landy eclipsed the record by 1.4 seconds. On August 7, 1954, the two met together for a historic race. As they moved into the last lap, Landy held the lead. It looked as if he would win, but as he neared the finish he was haunted by the question, “Where is Bannister?” As he turned to look, Bannister took the lead. Landy later told a Time magazine reporter, “If I hadn’t looked back, I would have won!” *

Each of us can “look back” – and we don’t have to look far! – to mistakes
we have made in the past.  “For ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).  The mistakes of the past, however, need not determine our destiny.

The Apostle Paul could “look back” upon a life full of rebellious sin.  He wrote: “I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man” (1 Timothy 1:13).  Yet Paul chose not to dwell on his mistakes; he refused to “look back”: “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” (Philippians 3:13-14).

How was Paul able to get past those horrible mistakes?

Observe the context of his recollection of his past sins: “Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown MERCY because I acted in ignorance and unbelief” (1 Timothy 1:13).

Paul was able to look forward instead of looking back because of the mercy and grace that he received from Christ.  Christ appeared to Paul (then known as “Saul”) on the road to Damascus as he was intent on destroying Christianity.  But Paul became very penitent when confronted by the resurrected Christ and became submissive to His will.  Christ sent him into the city where he would be told what he must do (Acts 9:6).  He was told by the Lord’s messenger, Ananias, what he “must do.”  His message included instructions concerning how he could find forgiveness for his past sins: “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).  When Paul complied, he experienced the mercy and grace of Jesus.

So can WE – IF we will respond in trusting obedience to Christ through:
faith (Acts 16:30-31) and repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confessing Jesus before
men (Romans 10:9-10) and being baptized (immersed) into Christ (Acts 2:38).

Don’t look back….  Look to JESUS! Let us “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2), for He gives us grace for our past and hope for our future.

Won’t YOU?

– David A. Sargent,