-December 12, 2020-
Good morning, happy Saturday,
-God Sent His Son At Perfect Time To Redeem Us And Make Us His Sons-
“But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.”
(Galatians 4:4-5).
Today’s verses are so encouraging, especially this time of year. The doctrinal term is incarnation, meaning God becoming flesh. God’s plan of salvation was conceived in eternity past, carried out in a specific time in history, and with eternal results. Only God could do this to save mankind.
• But when the fullness of the time had come – God works off a completely different timetable than man, and His timing is always perfect. The phrase, “fullness of the time,” really means when the time was ripe. The word ripe is most often associated with fruits. To enjoy a piece of fruit to its fullest, it must be ripe but not over ripe. God sent His Son into the world at the right time, not a minute too soon nor a minute too late.
In our Christian lives, we marvel at God’s perfect timing in accomplishing His will. There is the perfect time for graduations, weddings, births of our children, jobs, promotions, ministries, retirement, and so many other things. We thank God for His perfect timing and His perfect will in our lives. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.”
• God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law – Jesus was born of a woman, not a man and a woman. The virgin Mary was with child by the Holy Spirit, apart from man. His birth was unique, unprecedented, and unbelievable. Our Savior was born a Jew, born under the law. By being both God and man, He was sinless and perfect. He was the only person who could keep the law perfectly.
There are so many who still try to keep the law in order to be saved. God never intended the law to save us but to expose our sin and show us our need of Christ. Others try to live moral lives, do good works, and practice religion in hopes of being saved. It never works. Jesus came into this world to die on the cross, in our place, bearing our sins, in order to save us, forgive us, and give us the gift of eternal life. God is just and saves all people by the blood of Christ.
• To redeem those under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons – To redeem is to buy back. All those born into this world from Adam are born in sin and conceived in iniquity. We are separated from God and need a Savior. Not only did God save us and bring us near by the blood of Christ, but He also adopted us into His family as sons. We have our place in God’s family and at His table for all eternity.
In the days of the Romans, a son had all the privileges of sonship. He carried the family name and was responsible for living as a son and his behavior reflected upon the father. As sons of God, we represent Him in this world. Our words and actions need to show Jesus to this world. We live by a higher standard.
The hymn writer William R. Newell wrote, “O the love that drew salvation’s plan! O the grace that brought it down to man! O the mighty gulf that God did span at Calvary. Mercy there was great and grace was free, pardon there was multiplied to me, there my burdened soul found liberty — at Calvary.” From sinners to saints, from strangers and aliens to sons of the King, and from death to life, we are so blessed.
Have a blessed day living as a son of God and pointing others to Him. Jesus is the reason for the season. Stay safe and healthy.
Dean ✝️
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 