Understanding the “us” word and the Church

I feel this is a pretty important topic because lots of people lump “everyone” into the “us” word when they read the scripture. We must understand who “us” is referring to when we read the scriptures. This definitely goes along with my last post “Who are the sons of God” because when it refers to “us” we should understand who “us” is.

This article will go over a few of the “us” scriptures and lay out the context so we know what exactly the scripture is talking about. We will also cover some verses which helps us understand why it is important we need understand the words we read and why we should study to shew “ourselves” approved unto God.

Ok, enough with the “quotes”.

First up!

We love him, because he first loved us.

– 1 John 4:19

Who is the us in the scripture? I think we can agree this is referring to the church. Mainly because of John 14:21 and secondly because of the person who is talking here.

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

– John 14:21

We (being the church – aka the sons of God) love him (God) because he (God) first loved us (the church).

Yes, he loves those which keep his word. He loves his church. Because he loves us (takes care of us) we love him (by doing his word). Lets not forget the “doing the word” is also spiritual exercise, which is Godliness.

So why is it so important?

There are a few scriptures which show importance of knowing who “us” or the church is.

Here are a few of those as an example:

Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.

– Leviticus 19:28

There has been an argument I have come across saying this was for the Israelites when they were in a certain area in the geography contained people who partook in this sort of thing, “cutting their flesh for the dead and printing marks”.

Well this article isn’t about tattoos, however, there will be an article about tattoos in the future, but the purpose of bringing this up is it how it pertains to the Israelites and the argument being: “we aren’t the israelites so the verse wouldn’t apply to us now days”.

The responding questions I have to this argument presented is: were you not grafted into the olive tree when some of the other branches were removed (Romans 11:17)? did you not receive the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38) and receive the inheritance of the promise (Galatians 3:18)? are you not a Jew inwardly (Romans 2:29)?

If your answer is no and you have no intent in following Gods instructions, then, no, this verse doesn’t apply to you. However, if you call yourself a Christian (and godliness is spiritual exercise [doing the word of God]), then this verse definitely applies to you because you are grafted in when you received the Holy Ghost and became a Jew inwardly.

The next verse about us is:

As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

– Romans 9:13

This verse clearly shows God hated someone. It doesn’t say he hated the “sin” the person committed, it explicitly says he hated a “person”.

I remember someone tried to argue it being a group of people he loved. If this is the case from looking at the context of Malachi 1:2-3, then the other group of people mentioned are still hated by God. This argument coincides along with the “us” part of this article, when the verse is related to Gods people. He loved his people and hates those who aren’t his people. We must keep in mind who his people are: those who have and keep his commandments. Once again referencing John 14:21.

Lets not forget, the purpose of this article is to help show how words are important and why we should be aware of, the meaning of, the result of (Definition: Understanding) these scriptures.

The last verse I want to bring up regarding the us word is Philippians 4:13.

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

– Philippians 4:13

There is no “us” in this scripture. However, the “I” is referring to the church and “strengtheneth” to godliness. What strengthens your spirit? When we exercise spiritually, we are strengthened spiritually. Spiritual exercise, which is doing the word of God = Godliness. Who does the word of God? Those of us who love him, God’s people and we are right back to the “us” word again. :)

Continuing with the scripture, “that which strengthens me, I can do through Christ”. The flip side of this verse is saying, “I can’t do things which weaken me, through Christ”.

As far as the “us” word and the church, that’s all I have on the topic. If you have any questions, then you can email me here.

Just remember the main thing is to understand what the words are referring to, what is it talking about.

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In all things, Let the Lord be magnified!