Following after Christ (II)

The words expressed in these verses are not those of one who is suffering under the burden of his sins and seeking salvation in Christ. But, the humble and urgent longing of one whose sins had already been forgiven and whose heart had been imbued with spiritual life and peace.

One, who has been so "apprehended of Christ", that he now longs to know of Him and His glorious salvation more perfectly. Not the yearnings of that First love, which is so often fervent, yet, inexperienced, but the longings of a love which has been matured and seasoned by many hardships, trials and years of walking with Christ in intimate fellowship.

It was Christ "apprehending" (seizing, arresting, taking into captivity) Paul, which constrained the apostle to "follow after Christ" with such great fervency and diligence. For no man could ever exert such fervency, effort and diligence in seeking the things of Christ, without being "apprehended by Christ first!"