Act 1:1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach.

Luke wrote two great books, the Gospel of Luke and The Acts of the Apostles, to an old friend named Theophilus. Theophilus means “friend of God”. Theophilus appears to be a certain very reputable Greek or Roman because Luke addressed him as “most excellent Theophilus” (Luke 1:3). And, we can conclude that Theophilus lived up to his name as "friend of God” because of the respect Luke shown to him and in entrusting him with two great books of the Bible. What does it take to be a friend of God? The first person that comes to our minds is Abraham. Abraham is called the friend of God in James 2:23. How did Abraham attain this honour? 1. Faith. Abraham believed in the promises of God. He believed Sarah could bear a son in spite all the circumstances against it (Romans 4:18-20). Later, when God commanded him to offer up his son Isaac upon the altar, He obeyed, believing that God would raise him up again (Hebrews 11:19). Abraham’s faith makes him a father of faith to all who believe in the promises of God (Romans 4:11). Whenever faith is mentioned, Abraham’s name appears. 2. Obedience. Abraham had an obedient faith. He obeyed when God called: “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went” (Hebrews 11:8). Do you think it was easy for Abraham to just pack up and go when God called? What more, to a land he didn’t even know where and what kind! He didn’t know for how long and if he would return to his homeland. He was to forsake every comfort and security he had enjoyed. But Abraham obeyed! In this, we need to appreciate the sacrifices the missionaries make in leaving their comfort zones to go to remote places to preach the gospel. “Remote” places mean not places in America or New Zealand, but to places where the language is different, the country is backward, the food is strange, and the public transportation is poor. They go when the “Macedonians” call. Our Lord says: “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (John 15:14). 3. Submit. The reason Abraham could achieve this feat is because he was submissive. For most of us, we would question and argue with God. We would set certain conditions or certain salaries, or benefits: "God, if you will first promise me this, then I will go." Abraham did not question God nor demand an explanation; he submitted to the will of God. We cannot be called  "The Friend of God" if we question or resist the will of God. It is possible to be called a child of God and not have that intimate relationship with God that would qualify us as His friend. It is like a wife estranged from her husband; they are not in friendship terms. Theophilus means “friend of God”. God wants to be your friend: “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you” (James 4:8). If we expect to be the "Friend of God", we must follow the example of Abraham. We must have an obedient faith that submits to God’s will. We must live godly life like Abraham who chose not to live near Sodom. We cannot be called "the friend of God" and be a friend of the world at the same time (James 4:4). Are you “the friend of God”? Will you be “Theophilus”?