There is a difference between knowing what the Bible says and knowing who the Bible is talking to.

Early in His ministry, Jesus sent His disciples out with a specific instruction: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles... but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” Matthew 10:5-6

If we take those "red letters" and apply them to ourselves today, we would stop all global missions. But we know that later, Jesus commanded us to go into all the world. This is the art of "rightly dividing" the Word of God (orthotomeo) ὀρθοτομέω—"to cut straight".

“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

If you don't divide the Word correctly, you might try to call down fire on your neighbors because Elijah did it. But when James and John tried that, Jesus rebuked them. He told them they didn't know what "manner of spirit" they were of.

The fire fell on the sacrifice at the Cross so that it wouldn't have to fall on you. We are living in the "acceptable year of the Lord," not the day of vengeance.

Understanding the context of Grace changes how you read every page. It turns a book of demands into a book of supplies.

Truth used out of season can become a shadow instead of a light.