For Which I am Apprehended – Part II

This is Part II of this fantastic testimony written by Dorothy Caldwell – if you missed Part I, be sure and read that first!

“He must increase, but I must decrease.”

In this passage of scripture we find John the Baptist has been on the scene exhorting, prophesying and preparing the way of the Lord Jesus. The heavens had been silent and it had been 400 years since anyone had heard a word from God the Father. Can you image that? 400 years of silence. Now there’s a man on the scene, who must have looked like somewhat of a crazy – eating locust and wild honey, speaking of a coming Messiah – a savior. Don’t you know John had the attention of all that heard him speak? The interest of the Jewish people was peaked, especially since they had heard and had been taught from the time of their birth of the coming Messiah. The prospect of knowing that God was near, that the Messiah was coming, must have been intense.

John’s ministry grew in leaps and bounds as word spread of the great message of the coming Messiah. People were being baptized regularly as the message of Jesus was being proclaimed throughout the land. Not only did John pray, baptize and preach the word, he also raised up disciples who also preached the way of the Lord. By the time Jesus showed up on the scene John had a well established ministry. He had followers and disciples and his ministry continued for some time after Jesus arrived on the scene.
John was simply an awesome man of God! Here is a man who had the privilege of baptizing the LORD JESUS CHRIST himself. A man with an awesome testimony! A man with an awesome ministry! A man with an awesome call! However (and this is the part that I love) John, this awesome man of God, knew that none of what he had attained was about him. He understood, proclaimed, and preached that it was all about the One of whom he spoke. John understood why he had been apprehended and remained focused in his purpose throughout his ministry on earth. In all of his successes and in all of his glory he never lost sight of his purpose. He kept his purpose in view and he pursued in humility. (See John 1:26-27)

There are many in the body of Christ today that have forgotten that for which they were apprehended. Many believers have become focused and fixed on the successes and glory they have (or have not) received in their lives —whether it be jobs or ministry. In their pursuit of Him they have become lost in the process ~ the building, pressing, and attaining. They have forgotten that it’s NOT about them: not their success, their failures, their ministries, their business, their…whatever. It’s ALL about preparing the way for Him for which they have been apprehended. They have forgotten that any gain in this world is given by God and for the purpose of exalting the Lord Jesus and bringing forth His Kingdom in the earth.

“John responded, “No one can receive a single thing unless it’s given to him from heaven.” John 3:27 (HCSB)

As believers we must understand the gifts, talents, skills, abilities, dreams, visions that are given to us are not for us. Yes, it is required that we press, labor, pray and travail to see the dreams and visions of the Lord come forth. However, when they manifest here in the earth it is not for us to stick our chest and say, “see what I’ve done”, but rather it for us to humbly give place for the Lord to be glorified. We should never have the attitude of fighting to maintain a “place.”
“He must increase, but I must decrease”- John 3:30

There is no end to the increase of Jesus. His name is and will continue to be exalted. Even after two thousand years of scrutiny His name is still being proclaimed, received and people are still being redeemed by His blood. The scripture says, “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end…” (Isaiah 9:7). The challenge for us is to stay focused on why and for whom we have been apprehended. We as believers, friends of the bridegroom, forerunners are to maintain the attitude and heart of John the Baptist: a man whom Jesus himself said, “…Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist” (Matt 11:11 KJV)……I MUST decrease.

“but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12b (KJV)

God Bless You