So you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught. Luke 1:4 NLT
Theophilus had been taught about a Person- Jesus Christ. He had been told about Christ’s birth, his miracles, his teachings, his suffering, death and burial, and his resurrection and ascension. These things may seem like fiction when compared to the life of a normal human. The testimony about Jesus Christ is beyond human comprehension. It is hard for those whose minds have not been transformed by the Holy Spirit.
If the book of Luke was written around 58-62 AD as some scholars claim, it means 30 years had passed since the death of Jesus Christ. Events of 30 years ago may seem like impossible to those who are just being born. Yet, the facts about those events could still be traced because those who witnessed them may still be alive. This, I think was the case with Luke and Theophilus Luke 1:1-2. The facts presented to Theophilus could be verified by some eyewitnesses. Nevertheless, he needed to believe, beyond the facts, to be certain and to be saved. For many today, more than 2000 years after, the stories are so far-fetched. Therefore, our only resource is FAITH!
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see Heb 11:1 NIV. Some versions use conviction instead of certain and I prefer the former.
Although you have not seen Christ, by faith (alone), you can be certain about Him. By faith in the Word of God, by which Christ has been revealed to us, you can have assurance of His reality. Jesus himself corroborated this idea when he said to Thomas, “Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”” John 20:29. The reality of people and things may fade over time, but the reality of Christ grows sharper through faith.
Your conviction of the person and work of Christ does not depend on time or circumstances. It rests solely on faith in what God has said and done. It is not something you need to prove to people, except to demonstrate it through loving obedience to the Person you have come to believe.
In the last days, this faith or conviction is what some will depart from. Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith… 1 Tim 4:1. Jesus even said, … Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth? Lk 18: 8. This is the reason Paul’s prayers are so apt:
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might Eph 1:16-19 and according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith Eph 3:17
Therefore, I pray again for you, You shall know the certainty of whom you have believed. You shall not stagger or waver in faith. May you experience God evidently in your daily engagements and appointments. May the arm of God be revealed in your affairs. AMEN.