Things All Christians Should Know About the Faith

For Us, Not To Us

A common misconception, one I’ve held myself, is that the Bible was written directly to us. In reality, Scripture was written for us, but not to us. Let me explain.

I wasn’t among the Israelites led out of Egypt under Moses (Exodus). I wasn’t in the army facing Goliath’s taunts (1 Samuel 17). And I wasn’t part of the crowd of five thousand Jesus fed with five loaves and two fish (Matthew 14:13 -21).

But that doesn’t lessen Scripture’s power or relevance today. When we read it with an understanding of its original audience and purpose, we see how its truths still apply to our lives.

The Bible itself explains its purpose:

• “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness…” (2 Timothy 3:16)

• “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)

• “Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction…” (1 Corinthians 10:11)

In short, Scripture is for our teaching, encouragement, perseverance, and hope in God’s promises of restoration and renewal.

Next week, we’ll take a closer look at some of the overarching themes—the metanarrative—of the Bible story.

Yours in Christ,

Brad