Articles
Fulness of Time
Fulness of Time
4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, 5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. (Galatians 4:4-5).
From the beginning, God had a plan. Paul referred to it as the ‘eternal purpose of God’ (Eph. 3:11). That purpose was to have creatures (humans) that would live in His presence in a loving relationship. Now, in Galatians 4 we are informed that with the incarnation of Jesus, the fullness of time had arrived for God to provide the solution to mankind’s problem.
The problem as revealed over and over in the Bible, is SIN. While other religions see the ‘problem of mankind’ as various situation (ignorance, ), God’s people realize their problem was and is SIN. In particular, it was MY sin that caused the separation between me and God. It is Jesus who provides the solution.
The solution is forgiveness and restoration of the relationship with God and that can only be found through Jesus. We who were rebellious sinners can now find forgiveness. It took the incarnation and all of its parts to accomplish this. How can a Holy and Just God pardon sinners? It took the sacrifice of Jesus. Thus we see many different phrases that keep being stated concerning such salvation: Through the Cross – Through His BODY – By His blood – etc.
In the beginning, the Word was with God and the Word was God, the word then became flesh, born of a woman, lived a life of sinless perfection, was rejected and crucified, then arose from the dead and ascended to the very throne of the Father where He was glorified. There He sits as our king and priest, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Our intercessor and mediator. Our savior will return and gather His people together.
Which part of that story are you willing to leave out? If you do, how does that actually change the story? He wasn’t really manifest in the flesh? He didn’t really die? He wasn’t actually raised from the dead? If you have never contemplated this, take some quiet time before God and think on this.
Notice Paul’s summary of this story in Romans 11:32-36: “32 For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all. 33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! 34 For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? 35 Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again? 36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.”
Hugh DeLong
