182. GAL 4:4-5. GOD’S GIFT TO THE WORLD

Gal_4:4-5. God’s Gift to the World

"But when the fulness of time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons."’97Gal_4:4, Gal_4:5.

In this rich and comprehensive passage of the divine word we have presented to us, An Epitome of the Scheme of Redemption’97An Outline of the Gospel Plan’97An Abbreviated System of Christian Divinity.

Let us consider,

I. The Important Event stated.

"God sent forth his Son," &c. Observe 1. The illustrious person spoken of.

God’s Son. Not his creature, or servant; but his Son. Not a Son in common with believers, or with angels; but his own, his only-begotten, his well-beloved Son. "Brightness of his glory," &c.; Heb_1:1-12; Joh_1:1, &c. Observe,

2. This illustrious person was divinely commissioned.

"God sent him forth." He was appointed, and sent, and anointed for his work by God’s authority’97from himself to our world’97as his mediatorial Servant’97to do his work, and to declare his glory Sent by his own free and cheerful consent Joh_17:4, Joh_17:5. Observe,

3. The nature which he assumed.

"Made of a woman." The woman’s seed. A descendant of Abraham. Not begotten after the course of nature; but formed by the Holy Ghost, and born of a virgin. Luk_1:30; Mat_1:33; 2Ti_3:16. Hence the apostle remarks: "He took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham;" Heb_2:16. Notice,

4. The obligations to which he was liable.

"Made under the law." Originally he was the divine lawgiver, and as such, was above it, But when he became the mediator, it was necessary that he should be made under it. Hence,

(1) He was subject to the ceremonial law. He was circumcised’97presented in the temple’97he worshipped in the synagogues; went up to the feasts, &c.

(2) He was under the moral law. He lived it; and in all he spake, and did, and thought, he honored it. He kept it, in all its extent, perfectly, and was without fault; guile was not found in his mouth. He also taught it, spiritualized it, and vindicated it.

(3) He was under both the ceremonial and moral law in his mediatorial capacity. He was both the victim for sin and High Priest of our profession. He was under them, as the great sacrifice for sin, who should atone for the transgressors, bear the curse, and thus magnify the law and make it honorable. Heb_7:26. Notice,

5. The peculiar period of his manifestation,

"In the fulness of time God sent forth his Son."

(1) The time referred to by the prophets. "The sceptre," &c.; Gen_69:10. The end of Daniel’s seventy weeks; Dan_9:24. Before the second temple was destroyed; Hag_2:6-9.

(2) After the world had been sufficiently informed as to the event, in various ways and forms, from the first promise to the last prophecy given.

(3) When all means for man’s restoration had proved totally inadequate. Various systems of religion, philosophy, and legislation, all failed.

(4) When the world was in a state of profound peace. Rome at the summit of her power. Greece in her glory.

(5) A time when there appeared to be a general expectation of him, especially among the Jewish people.

(6) At that particular time, fixed upon as the best, by the infinite wisdom of God.

Notice,

II. The grand Ends contemplated in these Events.

1. That we might obtain redemption.

"Redeem those under the law." All under its authority’97all guilty’97all concluded in unbelief’97all perishing, &c. Now, he came to redeem us from the bondage in which transgression had placed us, and from the guilt and misery to which we were subjected by the curse. Hence our redemption is from guilt, sin, misery, and eternal death.

2. That we might receive adoption.

"The adoption of sons." Be brought nigh to God’97be reconciled to him’97form a part of his family’97bear his likeness’97possess his favor’97and enjoy him forever and ever.

3. That believers might thus enjoy redemption and the adoption of sons.

"We." Who have believed in the name of the Son of God, and thus have been privileged to become his sons. "All the children of God by faith." It is only by believing in Jesus, as thus set forth, &c. that we become interested in the present and eternal riches of his grace. Joh_1:12; Rom_5:1; Rom_8:1, &c.

Learn,

1. The way by which redemption has been effected.

2. The invaluable blessings it presents before us.

3. The importance of a saving personal interest in them.

4. Exhort the guilty and perishing to believe and have life.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS