Trinity Missionary Baptist Church: Newsletter 439-"Time"-11/7/2012

GoodNewsLetter

Number 439 November 7, 20112

TIME

"But when 'THE FULLNESS OF TIME was come, God sent forth His Son, made of woman, made under the Law,

to redeem them that were under the Law, that we might receive the ADOPTION OF SONS," Galatians 4:4-5.

As we try to understand all that Paul means, we have to search it out, carefully. As we study all we can and find out more, we learn that it is truly amazing what God did on behalf of mankind. We are not very long in the word of God before we begin to see that God has a plan and operates it on our behalf, according to His own time. Here, it's the FULLNESS OF TIME, it's such a blessing to be included within the plan. We see that His plan is one of salvation. Men, who reject his plan have no hope. Please note that we are all bound for eternity, somewhere.

Thus, let's learn all there is about God's plan. Dates do not really matter, but men love to mark the times down. They think it gives them some relevance; some confidence of being in charge. But, does marking down a date - correct or incorrect – really matter within God's framework? We don't believe it does. After all, It's clear that Jesus came to earth some 2000 years ago. Yet, to confuse us, too many teach that Jesus isn't God; or, they try to change the time. Does marking down a time really doesn't work.

The truth is that we have to know is what God did for mankind. Then, praise the Lord. Certainly, we must be thankful that He cares for us. Further, we have to teach ourselves and others of God's blessings. One Scriptural truth is found in Galatians 4. Notice the plan, carefully. God's plan began before He sent His Son – before time began. And, until Jesus came, we were under the elements of the world, according to Paul. What does that mean? Simply put, Paul wants us to know what bondage and freedom is all about. That's the message he is teaching the Galatian Church.

Hear Paul's teaching on the ' fullness of time.' First off, God's plan was the right time, of course. It was a time that was the   "END of all preparation, the BEGINNING of all fulfillment and, the MATURITY of man's SPIRITUAL NEED" (From the Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary (Eerdmans reprint - 1982).

As we study, clearly, our understanding will grow. And, checking out other verses on the ' FULLNESS OF TIME,' we go to Ephesians 1:5, 6. Here, Paul says: "Having predestinated us to adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself...to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved."

  Allow me to place what Paul writes in Ephesians 1; listing them so that the words stand out. We don't want to miss this, at all.
1. "In whom (Christ) we have redemption through His BLOOD," V 7.
2. "Having made know unto us the mystery of His will..." V 9.
3. "That in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on the earth; even in Him," V 10.
4. "In whom (Christ) also we have obtained an inheritance...that we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ," Vs 11-12.
5. "In whom ye also trusted, after ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise," V 13.

There! We have what "the fullness of time" means. The Bible is clear on what obedience means, as well. Not all those who have been saved, "In the fullness of time" will inherit the kingdom. But, they will be saved and, saved eternally. If we learn this lesson, we will rejoice over what God has done for us. Our time is God's. Let's serve and thank Him for His love,., point by point and  fullness."