## Right on Time

## Galatians 4:4

"But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law," (Gal 4:4) · The coming of Christ upon the world scene was not by chance. · His coming was under the strategic timing providentially set aside by God. · His coming was not one day before or behind the appointed time.

"And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." (Mark 1:15)

- A child who is placed under the control of guardians is under their control until the date fixed by his father. (Gal. 4:2).
- God and God alone decided the fullness of time for the coming of Christ.
- Christ was born of a particular person, at a particular time, in a particular way (incarnation), under a particular system (the law).
- He shared the frustration and agony of being subjected to the very system from which He came to save men.
- The world had been wonderfully prepared for His coming.

1. The law had done its educational work.

a. It had shown through the Jewish nation that men are terrible transgressors, and despite all of God’s favor and blessings, men still failed to worship God in love.

b. The world now had a picture of the depraved heart of man. (Ro.3:10-18 for a clear description of man’s sinfulness.)

2. The world was full of people spiritually starved.

a. The worship of self, pleasure, gods, philosophical ethics, all had left many empty and barren.

b. The soul was now ready to have its hunger met.

3. The world was at peace under Roman rule.

a. The world was an open door for the spread of the gospel-without any restraint.

4. The world spoke Greek as a basic language, making communication possible with many from all over the world.

5. The world had a system of roads helped in a couple of ways.

a. It provided for mass travel which allowed Christian missionaries to reach the farthest parts of the earth.

b. It also brought commercial travelers to metropolitan centers where Christian believers were concentrated.

"But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law," (Gal 4:4)

"Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." (1 Tim 2:6)

"But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;" (Titus 1:3)

"For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself." (Heb 9:26)