When we are children, one of the hard lessons to learn is when something concerns us and when it doesn’t. Children like to be in the “business” about things in which they have no business, while they can oftentimes ignore the things that are their business. As God’s children, we mimic these same behaviors in wanting to be involved in things we have no business in but yet neglect the things that we have been charged to engage in and watch over. When reading the word of God, there is nothing there that is not for us. All Scripture is given “for” things. (II Timothy 3:16-17) However, there are things in God’s word that were not specifically given “to” us. For example, the Mosaical law was not given to Gentile people such as we are. It was given to one nation to keep, commemorate, and fulfill. However, the law is given for us to give us comfort and hope. (Romans 15:4) So, when approaching God’s book, how do we discern if something is merely for us or specifically to us?
Speaker: While all of the Bible is ultimately written by God’s direct inspiration, there were many penmen down through the ages. Those penmen while under God’s direct hand and moved by Him still had “marks” in their writing. Paul’s letters have really, REALLY long sentences! It is a distinguishing mark of his. The Pauline epistles to specific churches like Corinth, Ephesus, etc. were his direct communication to a body of people. Prophets on the other hand like Isaiah, Jeremiah, etc. spoke of things that would occur to both their nation and at times the nations around them. It is important to know whether the speaker was a prophet, apostle, etc. as that role plays a big part in what not only their writing is about but also to whom it pertains. While I can look back in awe at the many prophecies that Daniel wrote about in specific detail that human history bore out over the next 400 years, none of those prophecies were to me as I didn’t live during that era. However, when Jude wrote about the faith being once delivered to the saints (Jude 3), I can take solace that what was given then, is also to me now as it won’t have to be given again.
Audience: As mentioned before, the speakers generally had a specific group that they were addressing. Even though we are not members of the churches that Paul addressed in his epistles, those same exhortations and lessons are good for us today as two things haven’t changed: the same God watches over the church, and churches are still made of broken people with the same problems we’ve had since the fall. A contrast of perspectives in the New Testament books would be the book of James vs. Paul’s epistles. Because Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles and James’ book begins with an address to the 12 tribes scattered abroad, there is a slight tilt of how things will be conveyed. James conveys things to a Jewish audience in ways that they are familiar with that Gentiles would have considered strange. That is why anointing people with oil is something James said and not Paul. Jews understood the custom, practice, and relevance. Paul said nothing about such a practice, which is why some practices are for our learning and hope but other practices are for our exercise and worship. When reading the book of Acts, you see the progression of the audience from the Jews to the Gentiles, and as such a lot of Acts is for us but not to us.
Setting: The last component to consider when determining if something in the Bible is not just for us but also to us is the occasion. When Jesus walked this earth during His ministry, He encountered things that were specific for that time and some things that were applicable to all times. While we don’t have an actual sect today called Pharisees or Sadducees, the ideas that they promoted in Jesus’ day are still very alive. Therefore, the warnings and condemnations toward those groups are still to us today not only in how to deal with those mindsets but also how not to fall victim and prey to those ways of thinking. Jesus told His disciples – and us today – to beware of their leaven or doctrine. (Matthew 16:6) However, Jesus also encountered Gentiles that He called dogs. (Matthew 15:26) For the time then present, it was needful and meet for the gospel and revelation of Jesus Christ to be first among the Jewish nation. (Romans 1:15-16) Therefore, Gentiles were still shut out of the oracles of God and early manifestation of the kingdom until the blood of Christ was shed and broke down the middle wall of partition between them. (Ephesians 2:16) So, Christ’s engagement with the sects of that day is still to us today, but His engagement with other nations is simply for us in this time but not to us as an example to mimic and engage in.
Friends, we are commanded to be children in malice and men in understanding. (I Corinthians 14:20) As God’s children, may we have the sweet spirit of forgiveness that children are able to exercise more freely than adults. However, may we not be children in what we know but stand as men and women in the gospel of our dear Lord knowing what is our business and what is not. He has not given the beauty and majesty of the church to everyone. However, the church’s benefit is for many. I am firmly convicted that the church’s presence in this country has blessed many in this nation that are not within the halls of her borders. There are many little ships in the sea in the night during the storms of life. (Mark 4:36-41) However, those in the boat (ship of Zion) with the Master know where those blessings have come down from. Likewise, may we glean the understanding as we grow to not just know from whence they come but also properly respond in doing our business, working with our hands, and laboring with quietness and patience in this field of life. (I Thessalonians 4:11)