Being the Gospel

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.
(Luke 1:1-4)

Luke speaks about the contemporary writing scene. "...many have undertaken to compile an account..." He is aware of the many who are writing around him. Yet his writings become a Gospel, while these others don't. Luke did not know he was writing a Gospel. His intent is to pass on to his friend Theophilus a very accurate account. He uses words and phrases like "just as," "carefully," "in consecutive order," "exact truth."

We are to be "witnesses and servants" at the same time, to the word and to the world. We must be both. If I am just a witness to what has been fulfilled, I am keeping a distance. There is something between me and what I am seeing. Maybe this was part of the story of Judas. But if I am just a servant and not a witness, I would lose my joy. If my gospel is a gospel of duty only, it is not a gospel.

You are a Gospel when you are a witness and a servant at the same time. Your life speaks about His triumphs, not yours. Luke says he is following what happened in order to write it down -- in other words, he is being a servant. But in writing about the story, Luke steps into the story. He is a recorder, not a doer, but in recording, he becomes a doer also.

[AV, (c)2004]

Happiness and Suffering

To the extent that you have a part in Christ's sufferings, be glad, so that at the revelation of His glory you may also delight in happiness. Happy are you if they revile you for the name of Christ.
(1 Peter 4:13, 14)

Now we hear about happiness and suffering. The short word "and" does not separate them but connects them. Happiness and suffering go together -- unbelievable and shocking though this may seem to us. We can see this unity throughout Peter's letter. For what God has joined together (and what men try to separate all the time), nothing can put asunder.

The unity of happiness and suffering is a mystery. O, how we flee from the happiness that springs from Christ's sufferings. O, how we would like to have that happiness which doesn't cost much, the easiest we can get away with! But God doesn't want this cheap Christian life. The world doesn't either. "We've had enough of this formal outward Christianity" -- that's what they think.

[FV, HFTR, (c)2003]