What does this mean?

This morning in my daily devotions, Charles Spurgeon's verse for this day was 2 Peter 3:18..."Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." Spurgeon goes on to say "do not rest content without an increasing acquaintance with Jesus," I understand this part only because I've been striving and trying to have a deeper and closer relationship with Him. I've read more of His Word thinking this would do it. You might remember just a while back I posted this question, "How do you abide in Him ?" I think it was about the first reply I received that said "Jesus is the Word" and to abide in Him would mean staying in His Word more by reading His Word more. That was an instantaneous revelation as soon as I read that statement! The light switch came straight on! Now to explain more about my dilemma. I've been diligently doing exactly that and haven't felt one speck of difference in closeness. THEN Spurgeon writes this. "An increase of love to Jesus and a more perfect apprehension of His love to us is one of the best tests of growth in grace." This word, apprehension, to me means one is not so sure of. Like, "I'm apprehensive about this outcome". Which means to me that the more I seek Him, the more He acts apprehensive to getting close to me. Do you understand what I'm talking about here??

I think the apprehension spoken of here means appreciation of and grasping His love, understanding it and receiving it, being filled with it in the Holy Spirit.

Spurgeon is using the second meaning of apprehension: understanding, grasp.

So, what Spurgeon is saying is that an increase of love to Jesus and a more perfect UNDERSTANDING of His love to us is one of the best tests of growth in grace.

Hope this helps you. :)

Natalie

What you seek is so beautifully prayed for by Paul. Please meditate on this portion and pray it for yourself.

Ephesians 3 verse 14 to 21

Blessings

Thank you both so very, very much. Seeing it from this totally different perspective makes me feel a whole lot better. He's just being quiet with me for some reason. So I don't need to fear. He'll bring me closer when it's His time to.
If it's possible, may all of Christ's blessings to us be double unto y'all!

God bless you sister.

Yes, surrender all to Him. Speak your heart and desire and cast your cares on Him, for He cares for you, more than we can fully grasp or understand. Receive it by faith and cease from all striving.
Our efforts and sweat can add nothing to the working of His Spirit.

As Andrew Murray said: When the Spirit of God finds an abased, humbled heart He flows into it and fills it, just like water will always flow to the lowest place (my paraphrase)

Be well,

Also, to boost you along with the others who have sweetly said, the word Spurgeon used is like the word used by Paul in Phillippians 3:13 and comes from Greek katalambano. To seize and take. It is akin to the word paralambano that Jesus used in John 14, saying "I will receive you unto myself".

May this link bless your heart;

http://beholdyourgod.org/series/revival-in-america/

I love etymologies.

The word comes from the Latin root prehendere, to seize/grasp. The word came to have the meaning in English of being in a grip of fear or dread, etc. Some English literature uses variations on the phrase "gripped by apprehension in fear". Over time the word itself gained the meaning of that phrase due to usage even though it does not precisely mean fear/dread.

So, in short, apprehensive doesn't technically even mean fearful or anything like it. Hope that helps.

I've been striving and trying to have a deeper and closer relationship with Him.

You are not alone in practicing spiritual disciplines (prayer, Bible reading, worship, witnessing, giving, etc.) in order to get closer to God. While those things are good and are to be encouraged, you make the mistake of assuming that by practicing them you will draw closer to God. I lived like that for years. It is a subtle form of performance based acceptance. It actually keeps you from experiencing true intimacy with God. I want to share this video with you about this problem and what abiding in Christ is all about in order to help you. Watch the whole thing paying close attention at the 8:00 mark.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJuN87bsL7U&t=1189s

-Daniel