“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.” Galatians 4:4
The economy of God, and the timing of man in matters of this earth, are only the same as God chooses to bring them together. God’s timetable began, from a human standpoint, before the world began. Bringing about His will and purposes throughout the thousands of years of man’s existence is a miraculous feat that only He is capable of, not only with regard to their conception, but their realization. This is seen most blatantly in Scripture in the writings of the prophets, and the new testament authors. With absolute accuracy, with regard to time and circumstance, having been declared hundreds if not thousands of years before, God brings about perfectly the realization of His pre-ordained will in the affairs of men, especially in the matter of salvation. The announcement and coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, being born at exactly the right and appropriate moment in history, in a stable, was foreordained before the foundation of the world. The beauty, wisdom, and humility of such an intervention by the Creator is unparalleled in the history of men on this earth. How could anyone do what God did, except according to His will by the Spirit for His glory? It was, and is impossible, for only God can do the work of God. And He will do it in His time, in HIs wisdom, by His power, in such a way that no man can say that he had any part in it. As God is holy, so is His work, in His time and in His way. How does the matter of the “fullness of time” in God’s economy apply to the believer today? What are the principles which God has revealed to us of faith and love, by which He chooses a certain time, moment, in history, our history, to bring about His perfect will? As Paul so simply summarized it: “Faithful is He who calls you who also will do it.” (1 Thess. 5:24)
Men are prisoners of time, as they are subject to the limitations of time on this earth. This of course is due to the effects of sin, and its consequence, death. However, by the Spirit of God, the God of time, “There is a way,” as the old hymnwriter put it, “…for man to rise to that sublime abode; An Offering and a Sacrifice, A Holy Spirit’s energies, An Advocate with God.” What is T. Bimney writing here? One thing concerns time, and the God-given ability by the Spirit to not be the prisoner of it, but to rise above it, using it wisely and effectively for the realization of the eternal purposes of God. Paul and Moses alike speak of using well one’s time, or redeeming the time. How can this be done?
The first thing to realize is that there is time, and then there is the “fulness of time.” Everyday is an opportunity, an open door, to receive the grace of God to serve Christ, living and walking by the Spirit. A life filled with the Spirit of God is the greatest utilization of time. However, there are moments when what is termed, “the fullness of time,” become very important, and life-changing. These are those moments when the declared, and promised, purposes of God come to fruition, or are realized “on earth, as they are in heaven.” Christ came to be born in a moment in Bethlehem. He also finished His work on the cross in a moment of time. The purposes of God were accomplished at that time. For the Christian, he is ever to be abounding in the affairs of His Father. But is also to be one who is not lagging behind in believing God for the full realization of His will on earth, in and through his life. He is daily attentive in the pursuit of God’s highest.
Dear Father, Realize fully your purposes in us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.