The Pursuit of Christ
“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
These verses, and those surrounding them, are filled with doctrine, promise and hope. Paul’s pursuit is mentioned in the preceding two verses: “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.” (Philippians 3.10, 11) There he expresses his heart’s desire to be a part of the resurrection through a personal knowledge of the One offering this blessing. In this he mentions his “struggle” that brings him to this reality.
He does not say that he has not “already attained,” but rather that his pursuit of Christ is driven with the same fervor as if he had not attained. The fact is that Paul is pursuing something that he already possesses. Paul says, “I follow after.” (diōkō – “to pursue, chase, to run after”) He then suggests his great desire to “apprehend” the knowledge of and the power of Christ’s resurrection, sufferings and conformity to Christ’s submission unto death.
Interestingly enough is the fact that those things he pursues are exactly those things for which Christ has pursued him and caught him. God’s Word says that there is none righteous and none who seek after God. (Romans 3.10, 11) As humanity races headlong toward their own desires and away from God (Romans 3.12), God in His loving grace apprehends (katalambanō – “to lay hold of so as to make one’s own”) the hopeless and helpless soul and claims him for His own. Having taken hold of the fleeing sinner, God then arrests the attention of the one giving flight and offers him something he had before been unable to see – an offer of eternal life. Having been apprehended by God, the sin-weary soul responds by pursuing Him who has already claimed possession.
This scene may be illustrated by observing a frightened child. There was an occasion when our youngest daughter found herself being chased by one of our roosters – a gamecock. She was about five years old and running for dear life across our pasture as the gamecock pursued. As she ran one of her rubber boots went flying into the air. A few yards further, the other boot went flying. I moved toward her trying to get to her before the rooster could attack (my daughter was quite fast). When she got close, my daughter jumped into my arms – I hugged her tight and she responded. Seeing me, the bird executed a hasty retreat. I had apprehended my daughter and she responded by apprehending me.
When we are apprehended by God, He bestows upon us “eternal life.” Eternal life begins at the moment God apprehends us, and, it is eternal from that point on. It is a life secured by the only security company which is eternal and all-powerful – the fullness of the Godhead. Safe in the arms of our loving heavenly Father and His dear Son, our condition is sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise.
The more we learn and understand, the stronger becomes our desire to learn and understand more. We find ourselves apprehending the One who has already apprehended us.
He does not say that he has not “already attained,” but rather that his pursuit of Christ is driven with the same fervor as if he had not attained. The fact is that Paul is pursuing something that he already possesses. Paul says, “I follow after.” (diōkō – “to pursue, chase, to run after”) He then suggests his great desire to “apprehend” the knowledge of and the power of Christ’s resurrection, sufferings and conformity to Christ’s submission unto death.
Interestingly enough is the fact that those things he pursues are exactly those things for which Christ has pursued him and caught him. God’s Word says that there is none righteous and none who seek after God. (Romans 3.10, 11) As humanity races headlong toward their own desires and away from God (Romans 3.12), God in His loving grace apprehends (katalambanō – “to lay hold of so as to make one’s own”) the hopeless and helpless soul and claims him for His own. Having taken hold of the fleeing sinner, God then arrests the attention of the one giving flight and offers him something he had before been unable to see – an offer of eternal life. Having been apprehended by God, the sin-weary soul responds by pursuing Him who has already claimed possession.
This scene may be illustrated by observing a frightened child. There was an occasion when our youngest daughter found herself being chased by one of our roosters – a gamecock. She was about five years old and running for dear life across our pasture as the gamecock pursued. As she ran one of her rubber boots went flying into the air. A few yards further, the other boot went flying. I moved toward her trying to get to her before the rooster could attack (my daughter was quite fast). When she got close, my daughter jumped into my arms – I hugged her tight and she responded. Seeing me, the bird executed a hasty retreat. I had apprehended my daughter and she responded by apprehending me.
When we are apprehended by God, He bestows upon us “eternal life.” Eternal life begins at the moment God apprehends us, and, it is eternal from that point on. It is a life secured by the only security company which is eternal and all-powerful – the fullness of the Godhead. Safe in the arms of our loving heavenly Father and His dear Son, our condition is sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise.
The more we learn and understand, the stronger becomes our desire to learn and understand more. We find ourselves apprehending the One who has already apprehended us.
Copyright © 2025 Dr. John H. Hill, All rights reserved.
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