In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.
What better way to become Theophilus (a ‘friend of God’: from Theos = God and philos = an active friendship) than to meet Jesus in the writings of Luke. The book of Acts is the second part of a two book story. The first, Luke’s gospel account, systematically reports eyewitness experience and truth with the purpose of bringing irrefutable certainty to all that had been taught and spoken of Jesus (Luke 1:6). In so doing, Luke has revealed God and shown the reader, or hearer, the route to friendship. Luke’s gospel is the good news of the person, life and teaching of Jesus Christ. Here, at the beginning of book 2, we are reminded that there is still yet more to come. Some of Acts will be the capturing and retelling of eyewitness accounts, some will be his own experience of life with the followers. It will all express and embody Jesus’ instructions to his followers; showing how to live in the Spirit, how to live in the church community and how to live in the world. This book will ultimately show what it means to be a friend of God. In book 1 Jesus began to go and teach, in book 2 we see the early church follow his example, if there were a book 3 it could be the telling of the 21st century church discovering, adventuring, suffering and proclaiming what it means to love and follow Jesus.
Question
What aspect of my friendship with God needs attention? It may be the length or quality of time you spend together. It may be the level of intimacy, or the depth of knowing him or knowing yourself.
Prayer
Welcoming God, thank you that you call me friend. Deepen my love for you. Help me to understand and to live in the reality of our friendship.