Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended.
The word “apprehend” has a twofold definition, one of which is “arrest, capture, seize.” Christ had laid hold of Paul. Now the Apostle wants it to be mutual. Formalists are self-satisfied and complacent. Their religion consists of some external rite or subscribing to a written creed. Paul’s goal was Christ and Christ alone. Though he admittedly had not, and would not, fully apprehend Christ in this life, he nonetheless kept reaching for Him.
We should never be satisfied with our spiritual attainments; we ought to have a sanctified dissatisfaction. There should always be an ongoing progress. Paul disclaimed any kind of moral or spiritual perfection; but he continued striving.
People tell us we need to get a grip on ourselves, but actually we need to get a grip on God! If we are Christians, God has hold of us. But when we lay hold of Him, like Jacob of old, we become a prince with God.
“I will not let thee go, except thou bless me,” said God’s problem child, who became a prince with God.”
No comments:
Post a Comment