One of my favorite names in the Bible is “Theophilus,” to whom Luke’s Gospel and the Book of Acts are addressed. In Luke 1:3, we read, “I too decided . . . . to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus.” The name means something like “one who loves God” or “friend of God.”
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be a friend of God? And not just any friend of God, but a most excellent friend of God? What would it take to be a most excellent friend of God?
Good friends are generous with each other, generous in thought, word, and deed. Think of the huge acts of generosity God has made for us! We certainly can never pay it back–but maybe we can make a gesture toward paying it forward in whatever ways we can.
What are some other ways we can be most excellent friends of God? How has God been a most excellent friend to you?
This message is excerpted from “How can we be most excellent friends of God?” by Audrey Novak Riley in the July 31, 2019, blog of the Women of the ELCA.
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