Day Eleven of “Getting Ready for Christmas.” Read Galatians 4:4-7.
What we know as Christmas–the coming of God in human flesh–occurred at the perfect time in history.
Everything about Christmas took place according to God’s plan. The time, the place, and the characters (Mary, Joseph, shepherds, and wise men) took place to accomplish God’s plan.
That is what Paul meant about the “fullness of time.” Historians marvel at the number of events that came together to make that first Christmas the opportune time in history. That time and place opened the door for the gospel message to go into the entire Mediterranean world. This world was the center of culture and philosophy. The Greek culture and the Greek language gave a vehicle to proclaim the Gospel and to give the perfect written record of God’s work.
In addition, Roman law provided for a system that allowed for movement and travel and protection for those espousing a new and very different religion. The Roman system of roads allowed the movement that allowed the gospel message to explode over the Roman Empire.
God used all of this to give us the greatest of messages. Paul’s letter to the Galatians is not about the birth of Christ; it is about His work to set men free and to loose them from the bondage of rules, rituals,works, and sin.
So, “when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’ So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir” (Galatians 4: 4-7).
Let us live each day as the sons of God who have His Spirit dwelling in our hearts.
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2 Responses
I can’t help but think of the passage in Exodus 34:10 where God tells the Israelite people; “Look, I am making a covenant. I will perform wonders in the presence of all your people that have never been done in all the earth or in any nation. All the people you live among will see the Lord ’s work, for what I am doing with you is awe-inspiring.” Little did they know what was to come when God spoke to them then. The perspective of everything coming together as it did and how Paul saw so much more in Christ coming to the world is to me Awe-Inspiring. Thank you Pastor.
I am reminded you shared about the fellow who came into your office so many years ago, sharing that he was in an adulterous relationship that was “God’s Will.” It was a wonderful example of how people rationalize behavior. To be a Light and not The Judge is a challenging walk, perhaps more often than not. Yet, I believe when Christ is in His, there is a Place in us which Knows His Will. A fellow graduate of NOBTS preached: “God will do what is necessary in the life committed to Him to bring His to the place His needs to be.” An apt description of “the Perfect Time.” In our flesh we cry, “Even so Lord come quickly.” In our spirit we Know, Now is the time to Bring Him Glory in our Dependence and Interdependence, counting every hurt,… every reminder,… a focus on His Mercy, Love, Forever. A short journey we are on with the backdrop of eternity. When one comes to Him, the path to Him is a marvel that begins to make sense, so clear in the rear view. Walking by Faith not by sight in the New… The stage has been set for the debate of LIFE. Romans 12:4&5 is the Arsenal to achieve Romans 12:21. Thank you!
Blessings