Reading the Bible is supremely important to grow in your life in Christ. But if you’re simply reading you’re like a water bug, only skimming the surface of an ocean of truth. You’ll be left to wonder and imagine, like a carnal person pondering the meaning of “deep” pop song lyrics. If you’ve ever found it hard to consistently read your Bible, the key to unlocking the Living Word is simply understanding the different contexts about to whom, and when particular passages are written. Rightly dividing makes reading your Bible a delight. It will comes alive with meaning and power for your life.
While the whole Bible is for the instruction of the Church, it is not all written about the Church. The Old Testament is mostly about the nation of Israel. When we take the Old Testament promises (made to the Jews) and apply them to the Church, we err and rob the Jews of that which is theirs. In the New Testament, The Epistles of Hebrews and James are Jewish. James is addressed to the twelve tribes scattered abroad. A prime example of rightly dividing is found in the words,”fall away” (Hebrews 4: 6) and “if we sin willfully,” (Hebrews 10:26). Without rightly dividing, you could get the idea you could lose your salvation. But these verses were spoken to apostate Jewish teachers of Christianity who had never been born again, not to Christians. See how important it is to understand the context?
Different contexts produce different meanings. Rightly Dividing is simply understanding the different contexts. These studies will help you rightly divide the Word and open up the great treasury of truth for your edification.