PRESSING FORWARD Devotion 8 of 12

"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: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:12-14)

THE BELIEVER IS APPREHENDED!

A condition is described here that must not be overlooked. Paul acknowledges that he has not yet "apprehended" the objective of his salvation. That is why he is stretching forward, pressing to obtain it. But note this phrase, "that for which also I am apprehended of Jesus Christ" (v. 12).

Jesus Apprehended Paul!

Consider this: Jesus had APPREHENDED Paul! The expression is arresting! Think about it! "I keep on, trying to grasp that purpose for which Christ Jesus grasped me" (Phillips Modern English). "Because Jesus Christ has made me His own" (RSV). "I press on, hoping to take hold of that for which Christ once took hold of me" (NEB). "Trying to capture the prize for which Christ Jesus captured me" (Jerusalem Bible). What an edifying view! Here is an aspect of salvation that is most comforting!

Evidence of Divine Activity

Our own salvation is evidence of divine activity. We have been "apprehended" by Jesus Himself! This apprehension was not forceful or against our wills. We were "willing in the day of His power" (Psa. 110:3). Like the shepherd that brought the lost sheep home on his shoulder, Jesus "took hold" of us, rescuing us from the dilemma of sin! He said that He came to "seek and save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10), and He has done so! Blessed be the name of the Lord! However far you have come to get to Jesus, He came further to get to you! Christ took hold of us much like He did Peter when he began to sink beneath the very waves upon which he was walking. He took hold upon us when we were sinking, without God and without hope in the world.

Do Not Miss this Truth!

Do not miss the glory of this truth! God did not "apprehend" the people in Noah's day. They were destroyed by a flood (Gen. 6-7). God did not "apprehend" Israel in this sense! Their nature was never changed. God Himself said of them, "All day long I have stretched forth my hands to a disobedient and gainsaying people" (Rom. 10:21). But Jesus has apprehended us. Why? Because this is the day of the open heavens! It is a different time, when sin has been put away by the sacrifice of Christ (Heb. 9:26). It is a different day, with a message of good news. "For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (2 Cor. 6:2)! Paul pressed to apprehend the prize because he himself had been apprehended. What of you? Have you been apprehended by Jesus? If your heart has been changed, you have been apprehended! If you are longing for the appearing of the Lord and for heaven, you have been apprehended! If you have an appetite for the good Word of God, you have been apprehended!

-- TOMORROW: EXTENSIVE EFFORT REQUIRED --