I used to teach that there are 2 biblical audiences: believers and unbelievers. That’s simple. It’s true. And it’s still incorrect or incomplete.
When we read the parable of the sower (Matthew 13) the gospel is for 4 distinct heart types who HEAR the word or the message of Jesus.
- The seed is the word of God.
- The ground is the heart type.
So. Every single book in the Bible is written (or seed) to all 4 heart types or types of ground. Both the soft ground and hard ground.
- Not every passage is for you.
- But every passage is there to grow you.
Check out these 2 passages … they are intended for 2 different types of ground.
Which one is for you?
“They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.” Romans 1:29-32
“To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.” Eph 3:8-12