Apprehension before Comprehension
Posted on March 1, 2018 by Graeme Wilson in Freedom Fighters
“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.” — Philippians 3:12 KJV
One of the difficulties in evangelism is that people want to know all the facts about Christianity before they’ll commit. “What about this” and “Why that” is usually the start of most questions. This concept of wanting to know before you buy is a general rule of thumb and normally a wise basis for making a decision. “Know before you buy” is good advice to a person seeking to make a decision. Not when it comes to Christ, there seems to be an invitation that comes without any understanding. The truth is, we are the apprehended.
The walk of faith can lead us to a belief that we can’t always comprehend, so we apprehend before we comprehend. The answer I give people who have questions is “You know that you know.” The “knowing doesn’t come until the ‘follow’”, that’s why we say it’s a walk of faith, God is pleased when we trust before we know (But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:5).
The difficulty for me sometimes is trying to convince people of the “what” instead of the “Who.” We come to Jesus, not Christianity, and it’s a “Who” before a “what.” The “what” is a benefit that comes with the “Who” (you may want to read that again.) When they see the “Who” the only thing left is to repent and be saved. Our first knowledge is His ways are higher than mine, I am in need of a Savior.
This is not only important to remember when it comes to evangelism, it’s important to know in our daily walk. Too many times I see a great “knowledge” of Christianity and no representation of Christ. It’s important for us to attain knowledge but as in our walk, knowledge comes after the apprehension, we walk in light, not in knowledge. Again Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” John 8:12. The illumination that leads us comes from scripture and is directed by prayer, when our walk lines up with the Bibles teaching, we sometimes walk blindly, not knowing what God is doing.
Paul, in Philippians 3, reminds us, “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 do not count myself to have apprehended; 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. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind”.
Sometimes our best advice to people who need Jesus is to say, “Come and see.” Amen
Written by Rob Russomano: Rob Russomano is married to Terri, and serves with her as full time staff members. He is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and is also available as a speaker of the grace of God with a message of Hope for church events. You can contact him at rrussomano@americaskeswick.org.
The Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 14-15 , Psalm 90| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here
Daily Quote: “I hope in God, I pray on, and look yet for the answer. They are not converted yet, but they will be.” – George Mueller
This Week’s Verse to Memorize:
“For in You, O Lord, I hope; You will hear, O Lord my God.” — Psalm 38:15