The Fullness of Time

Good Morning! 

The fullness of time.  What is the “fullness of time”? 

Paul, writing in his letter to the believers in Galatia, writes …

Galatians 4:1-7 English Standard Version (ESV)

4 I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave,^[a] though he is the owner of everything, ² but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. ³ In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles^[b] of the world. ⁴ But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, ⁵ to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. ⁶ And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” ⁷ So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

Footnotes:

Galatians 4:1 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface; also verse 7

Galatians 4:3 Or elemental spirits; also verse 9

A little background to the opening statement:  Paul is pointing out the difference between being under grace versus being under (Mosaic) law.  His point is that the law only enslaves a person while grace entitles a person.  John, the beloved, makes a similar statement in his gospel when he states that anyone who believes is empowered to become a child of God. 

What is Paul saying?  The law is given as a guide until the Father decides that it is time for His children to reach maturity.  The Mosaic laws were … and, may I also say, are … not designed to redeem but to instruct and guide.  The application of grace and mercy found in Christ does not invalidate the purpose of the law … but rather uses the law to lead us to Christ.

In his analogy, Paul comes to the conclusion that when the time was appropriate, God sent Jesus in His mercy and grace to pay the necessary price to redeem humankind. Those who believe in Christ then become children (expressed as “sons”) and thus, heirs, of God.  The principles of the law should be observed … but not relied upon for salvation.

By the way, there is another “time” that will be determined by God.  After Jesus had arisen and appeared to many, when it became time for Him to ascend into Heaven, He was asked …

6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. – Acts 1:6-7

God has appointed a time when Christ will return.  Many of us look forward to that time … but our real task is not to focus on His return but rather on the mission He has given us.  We walk in faith, realizing that when the appropriate time comes, God will act … and bring all of His children to His side.

Agape’

Mr. Jim

  

Prayer: Father, keep me focused on the mission You have given me while I await the time You have chosen to have Christ return and establish His kingdom. In Jesus’ Name … Amen.

Scripture for today: Galatians 4:1-7