Scripture:
“In as much as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us-just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us-it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you most excellent Theophilus that you many have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.” Luke 1:1-4
Observation:
There are a number of things to point out in this preamble but perhaps the most important one is the writing of an orderly account “that you may have certainty.” Why and what for?
Application:
Luke is not an apostle. By all accounts he is portrayed as a doctor and a historian. I forget that he is also a disciple.
Why should I take note of that? I don’t know but I do. The Body, the Church is made up of so many skills, talents, callings, and gifts that it is important to not pigeon hole every believer in a narrow slot. So what can I take away from these four verses?
One: It takes many eyes to accurately record, remember, and pass on what God is doing in a generation. I don’t remember easily what God has done for me up to date. I don’t remember the sermon, I don’t remember my last conversation with a brother-Remembering is hard because I don’t engage in task of remembering. I have heard it said: “What was the Sin of Israel? They soon FORGOT!” I am right there.
Two: It takes a desire and then work to “compile a narrative”, that is: write. The practice of journaling that is being exhibited every day on this website is designed to be an encouragement for folks to write. What is Jesus doing in your life right now? What did He do in your life yesterday, last week, last month, last year? The “doing” in our lives isn’t only how many time I succeeded/failed to share the Gospel with someone, it is what is being done to make us into the Image of the Son, to engage in progressive sanctification, etc. Writing helps keep a record.
Three: The practice of “orderly account” helps keep me on the straight and narrow path of righteousness and having sound doctrine bouncing around in my noggin. I resist being “tossed to and fro” by strange and varied doctrine (stinkin’ thinkin’). What part of my Christianity is a hodge-podge of unrelated scriptures, biblical clichés, verses taken out of context and gripped erroneously? More than I care to think about.
Why, though? Why all of this? The scripture is clear: “That (we) may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.”
We are involved in a journey, not a destination: By believing we have not “arrived”, we are just beginning. The Gospel is more than “Hey, guess what? Jesus saved my soul.” There are so many points of the Gospel most of us never look into or think about, much less talk about. Let’s change that.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, please make me a vessel of your desire. I want to serve, I want to please You, I want my life to revolve around You. Thank you for the Cross and how despite my inherent rebelliousness You redeemed me by Your Blood. Remembering themes in Proverbs-I want to be Wise, I don’t want to be a fool. Keep me and increase me to write. AMEN.