The Fullness of Time

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” - Galatians 4:4-5

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The birth of Christ was not an accident, nor something that took place merely because circumstances happened to fall into place. The Son of God came into the world at the very moment appointed by the Father. All of history had been leading to that point, and every event had been preparing the way. God’s providence ordered the ages so that when Christ was born, the world was ready for the proclamation of the gospel. There was a universal language for communication, a unified system of government, and a weary longing in the hearts of men for deliverance from the darkness that philosophy and religion had been powerless to remove.

But these external arrangements were only part of the preparation. The spiritual condition of mankind also demonstrated that the moment had fully come. The law had done its perfect work in showing man His sin and helplessness. Every attempt of human wisdom and human effort had failed. Nothing remained but the expectation of the Messiah. When man had reached the end of His resources, God sent forth His Son. Redemption was not accomplished by human progress but by divine intervention. God acted when man could do nothing.

We must never think of the incarnation as something detached from the purpose of redemption. Christ was born under the law in order that He might fulfill the law. He took our nature in order that He might take our place. His birth points directly to His cross and resurrection. The manger stands in the shadow of Calvary. God sent forth His Son, not merely to reveal truth or set an example, but to redeem those who were under the law. The coming of Christ is the work of God alone, in the fullness of time, for the salvation of sinners.

(Taken From Martin Lloyd-Jones' sermon "The Fullness of Time")