But when the fullness of time was come… God sent forth his son, born of a woman, living under the law. To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because we are sons, God hath sent forth the spirit of his son into our hearts, crying Abba, Father. You are no longer a servant, but a son. And if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Let that sink in for a minute. The book of Galatians was written by Paul and declared liberty and freedom through Christ. These verses from Galatians 4:4-7 help us understand more about the immense magnitude of God’s love for us.
The fullness of time had come. At just the right time. That perfect spot in the history of the world. In that perfectly positioned blip of time on the God clock. No one could make it happen, faster, slower, or in a different way. Because… the fullness of time had come.
God sent forth his son, born of a woman, living under the law. God willingly sent his son! He was fully human and fully God. Even though He lived among us in our world, He never sinned.
To redeem them that were under the law. Redeem means to buy back, and God looked ahead in time, and saw us, needing redemption.
That we may receive the adoption of sons. Not only was He going to redeem us, but He was going to adopt us as sons and daughters of God. He would become our father.
And because we are sons, God sent the spirit of his Son into our hearts. The spirit of God’s Son is living in our hearts.
Crying Abba, Father. Abba Father represents the close intimate relationship of a father and his child, and that is the love God has for us.
We are no more a servant, but a son. We get to sit at the King’s table. We have access to God’s resources. We are no longer slaves, but are free.
And if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Yes, not only are we adopted as God’s children, but we have an inheritance reserved in heaven for us.
Fullness of time – not just the story of Christmas in the world’s history, but God has a fullness of time for us, too. He knows our brief timeline here on earth, and that it is followed by an everlasting timeline in heaven.
Ahhhh… Christmas. A prophesy fulfilled. Just for me – and for you – and for everyone in the whole world!
Ann is a speaker and teacher. Contact her at annfarabee@gmail.com or annfarabee.com