Excerpt From The First Chapter Of The Book "Apprehended & Apprehending"
LEAVING BEHIND
THE ENTITLEMENT TYPE OF CHRISTIANITY
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AYING hold of God simply means
becoming aware of Him. This translates into learning to get to know Him
intimately, practicing His presence, becoming familiar with His activities
in our lives. It also means, falling into agreement with His plan for us, while
submitting to Him in faith and obedience, and living daily in His
righteousness. Therefore, if you have been saved and God feels it is necessary
to keep you on this planet, you can be sure there is a good reason for it.
Every one of us who calls ourselves Christians should be continually going
forward with Him and getting hold of our portion of what He has planned for us.
In short, we go on apprehending what God has planned for us through continual
spiritual maturity with Him.
Several Christians have asked me what the title of my book means.
Strangely, they are way more educated than I will ever be in this lifetime.
While I understood the message of my title and can vividly see both worlds with
the eyes of my heart, I took for granted that it was clear to everyone else
too. Webster dictionary defines the word ‘apprehending’ as follows: “To take
into custody; arrest by legal warrant or authority.” In my case, I was living
in darkness, minding my own business and happy in my ignorance—much like the
people of Noah’s time just before the flood. I had no idea that I was in
darkness let alone needing Him. He came, took me into custody (captivated my
heart) and changed my life. Hence, I have been apprehended by Him. The second meaning is: “To grasp with the
understanding; to recognize the meaning of; to perceive.”
With no pretension, I offer this explanation that comes from the life
of Job. The best way to describe why I go on apprehending God is by
showing you what happened to Job when his spiritual eyes finally opened. In
chapter 42:1-6, Job replied to the Lord,
“I know that you can do all
things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. You asked, ‘Who is
this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I
did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. ‘You said,
Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall
answer me.’ My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I
despise myself and repent in dust and
ashes.”
Job’s spiritual eyes were open as such his understanding of God was
different now. When this happens to you, more than ever, you are captivated and
there is nothing else to do except to follow hard after Him. This is why Paul prayed in Ephesians 1:18. He
knew, once our spiritual eyes opened, we would then have insight into the
mystery of our Salvation in Christ. I make no excuse for my agenda and I am not
ashamed of it. My goal is set and my path clear. As Paul urged us to imitate
him, so my job is to go on, following hard after Him, so that I too may
apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
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