Galatians 4:4-5 But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,… I. WHEREIN CONSISTED THE PREPARATION OF THE FULNESS OF TIME FOR A NEW TURN IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD? There was a general sickness in the world's condition. 1. War had left its sores and scars behind. 2. Popular religion was worn out and dying. 3. The faith of Moses and Isaiah had degenerated into a discussion of dress and posture, and into a fierce fanaticism. It was the darkest period before the dawn. Men were dreaming — (1) That a prophet would come to solve the riddle of life. (2) That a king would appear who would establish universal monarchy. (3) That the Golden Age would be restored. II. WHEREIN CONSISTED THE PECULIARITY OF THE COMING OF CHRIST WHICH MADE IT THE GERM OF WHAT THERE WAS TO BE IN THE AGES FOLLOWING? 1. The evils of the world, however glittering, found their level in Christ's presence. 2. Christ revealed to man a new image of the Divine nature and a new idea of human destiny, and made both realizable. 3. All that was good in the world took courage, and was revived and assimilated and strengthened by Christ; what was true in thought, beautiful in art, just in law, were incorporated, and the organic unity of the world gave a framework into which the gospel could fit and spread without hindrance and violence. III. WHAT ARE THE CONDITIONS AND WHAT OUGHT TO BE THE EFFECTS OF CHRISTIANITY ON ITS NINETEENTH-CENTURY BIRTHDAYS? 1. As regards our manners and customs. (1) We have left behind gladiatorial games; have we learned that mercy which the humane spirit of jesus should teach us? (2) We have left behind the luxury and selfishness of Rome; but is not our extravagance in dress and living contrary to the simplicity, the plain living, and high thinking of Jesus? (3) We have left behind the foul sins of ancient heathenism; but is our conversation and our literature free from a frivolity and coarseness alien to Him who blessed the pure in heart? (4) We have left behind divisions between Pharisee and Sadducee, Greek and Barbarian; but have we not so multiplied sects and churches as to break the unity which should be in Christ? 2. As regards our outlook. Just as the advances of Roman civilization were preparations for the gospel, so the advances of modern science, etc. so far from being contrary to the gospel are means of its wider spread. 3. As regards us individually. When the fulness of time is come in joy or sorrow the one redeeming thought is that Christ has redeemed us that we might receive, etc. (Dean Stanley.) Parallel Verses KJV: But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,WEB: But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law, |
    |