Welcome to our home Bible fellowship in Raleigh. Today, we dive deep into understanding the relevance of the Bible’s messages for us. Inspired by my study of the first eight chapters of Romans, this teaching explores the importance of knowing to whom the scriptures are addressed. By rightly dividing the Word, we can discern which parts of the Bible are written specifically for our application today and which parts are for our learning. Join us as we uncover the spiritual rights, privileges, and benefits that come from understanding and living by the truths addressed to us. The truth shall make us free.
Thank you. Please turn to Romans 1.
I am currently studying the first eight chapters of Romans. And I’m comparing the King James Version of each verse with the Amplified version. I’m learning a lot.
Each letter from Romans through Thessalonians begins by saying who the letter is addressed to. The beginning of each letter makes clear to whom it is written. For example, in Romans 1:7, it says, “To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints.” Bam. That’s us. Saints, referring to born-again believers. So, Romans is addressed and written to us. People who believe in God in this modern day and time.
Let’s go to Romans 15.
The entire Bible is not addressed to us. Only some parts are. Sections of the Bible are written for and addressed to particular people. Knowing to whom a verse is written is a key to rightly dividing (rightly understanding) the Word. When I read a book, a letter, or a verse in the Bible, I ask myself, “Is this written to me?”
All of God’s Word is for our learning, but not all of it is for us to apply to our lives. We should apply what is written for and addressed to us. The parts of the Bible addressed directly to us are the seven Church Epistles: Romans through Thessalonians. These are what we can specifically apply from God’s Word, so that we can live a more than abundant life.
What is not addressed to us is for our learning. So that’s everything that happened before Pentecost.
Let’s read together Romans 15:4: For whatsoever things were written aforetime [regarding times before the day of Pentecost] were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Let’s turn to Exodus 29.
If we read something (like from the Gospels or the Old Testament), which are not written to us, but for our learning, and we can not make an accurate application of it, it’s because the words or principles from that part of the Bible conflict with applicable truths that were written to us.
For example, the following verse is addressed specifically to Israel (Judeans), Exodus 29:36: And thou shalt offer every day a bullock for a sin offering for atonement.…
This verse conflicts with all of the verses that are in Romans, which tells us that Jesus Christ, God’s Son, (not an animal) was our sacrifice.
Let’s go to Romans 3 and see that for ourselves. Pass out paper.
Let’s read together Romans 3:23-24: 23: KJV: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (AMP: We all have sinned and continually fall short). 24: KJV: Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (AMP: We are justified, declared free of the guilt of sin, made acceptable to God, and granted eternal life, as a gift by God’s precious, undeserved grace, through the redemption, the payment for our sin, which is provided in Christ Jesus).
In the Old Testament, God’s commandment is to “offer every day a bullock for a sin offering for atonement.” But we know that Jesus Christ was our sacrifice, our payment.
Let’s read together Romans 5:8: KJV: But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (AMP: But God clearly shows and proves His own love for us, by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us).
Let’s read together Romans 6:6: KJV: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. (AMP: We know that our old self [our human nature without the Holy Spirit] was nailed to the cross with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin).
One more.
Let’s read together Romans 6:7: KJV: For he that is dead is freed from sin. (AMP: For the person who has died [with Christ] has been freed from [the power of] sin.)
These verses, verses that are written to us, seem very clear.
These verses help us understand that we do not need to offer daily animal sacrifices as commanded by God. Why? Because we are to read the verses that are written to us (for us to apply to our lives). And by doing that, we understand Jesus Christ was our sacrifice.
Turn to Acts 2.
Ever receive a text message from someone? Just as we need to know if the message is to us or not, we need to know to whom a Bible verse is written. When I read a verse, I ask, “Is this message addressed to me?” Then I can correctly understand what applies to me, or what is simply for my learning. And that helps me rightly divide God’s Word so that I can confidently live the spiritual truths that apply to me.
Let’s read together Acts 2:38: Then [on the day of Pentecost] Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in… water? No. That’s old testament. Baptized every one of you in… the name of Jesus Christ… for the what? Remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost [the gift from the Holy Spirit, God in Christ, in you].
After the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, when the day of Pentecost had fully come, God sent His gift of holy spirit, and it became available for men and women to be born again, to be God’s sons and daughters.
Being born again as a child of God is what gives us a spiritual life. This new birth gives us spiritual rights, privileges, and benefits. We can claim every one of these given to us by our heavenly Father through the accomplishments of Jesus Christ.
Let’s look at just a few.
(1) According to the Word of God written to us, we were crucified with him.
Let’s read together Galatians 2:20: I am [was] crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
(2) According to the Bible verse that was written to us, we were reconciled to God by him.
Let’s read together II Corinthians 5:18: And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.
(3) According to the Word of God, we were justified by him.
Let’s read together Romans 3:24: Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
(4) According to the Bible that is addressed to us, we were made righteous by him.
Let’s read together Romans 5:16-18: And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. Therefore as by the offence of one judgment (Adam) came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one (Jesus Christ), the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
(5) Last one. According to the Word of God, we were sanctified by him.
Let’s read together I Corinthians 6:11: And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
God reconciled us to Himself; He can not separate us from Himself.
God justified us; He can not bring an accusation against us.
God made us righteous; He can not condemn us.
God sanctified us; He has no wrath awaiting us in heaven.
Conclusion
We have learned that when we read the Bible, we have to be clear about to whom the scripture is addressed. When we read the Bible, we can ask ourselves, “Is this addressed to me to apply to my life today, or is it just for my learning?” What is not addressed to us is for our learning. When we’re clear about what to read and how to read it, we can apply amazing spiritual truths that have been revealed to us in our day and time, which are written in Romans through Thessalonians. Those are books/letters of the Bible that are written to us. By reading Romans, I’ve learned that we no longer live in sin. We no longer do works in order to be saved. We simply believe. Being born again as a child of God is what gives us spiritual life. This new birth gives us spiritual rights, privileges, and benefits. We can claim every one of these truths, given to us by God, through the accomplishments of Jesus Christ.
Today, we have learned the critical importance of understanding to whom the scriptures are addressed. By distinguishing between verses meant for our application and those for our learning, we can rightly divide God’s Word and live confidently in the spiritual truths meant for us. The letters from Romans to Thessalonians are particularly relevant to us as modern believers, providing guidance on how to live a spiritually abundant life. As we embrace these truths and apply them, we gain profound spiritual rights, privileges, and benefits given to us through the accomplishments of Jesus Christ. Let’s continue to study, discern, and live by the Word, growing in our faith and understanding every day.
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