Tuesday: God Sent Forth His Son
Gal. 4:4, ESV
“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law” (Gal. 4:4, ESV).
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Paul’s choice of the word fullness indicates God’s active role in working out His purpose in human history. Jesus did not come at just any time; He came at the precise time God had prepared. From a historical perspective, that time is known as the Pax Romana (the Roman Peace), a two-hundred-year period of relative stability and peace across the Roman Empire. Rome’s conquest of the Mediterranean world brought peace, a common language, favorable means of travel, and a common culture that facilitated the rapid spread of the gospel. From a biblical perspective, it also marked the time that God had set for the coming of the promised Messiah (see Dan. 9:24-27).
Why did Christ have to take our humanity in order to redeem us? John 1:14; Gal. 4:4-5; Rom. 8:3-4; 2 Cor. 5:21; Phil. 2:5-8; Heb. 2:14-18; Heb. 4:14.
Galatians 4:4-5 contains one of the most succinct accounts of the gospel in Scripture. The coming of Jesus into human history was no accident. “God sent forth His Son.” In other words, God took the initiative in our salvation.
Also implicit in these words is the fundamental Christian belief in Christ’s eternal deity (John 1:1-3, John 1:18; Phil. 2:5-9; Col. 1:15-17). God did not send a heavenly messenger. He, Himself, came because only God could save us.
Although He was the divine preexistent Son of God, Jesus was also “born of woman.” Though the virgin birth is implied in this phrase, it more specifically affirms His genuine humanity.
The phrase “born under the law” points not only to Jesus’ Jewish heritage but also includes the fact that He bore our condemnation and was born in order to die for our sins.
Thus, It was necessary for Christ to assume our humanity because we could not save ourselves. By uniting His divine nature with our fallen human nature, Christ legally qualified to be our Substitute, Savior, and High Priest. As the second Adam, He came to reclaim all that the first Adam had lost by his disobedience (Rom. 5:12-21). By His obedience He perfectly fulfilled the law’s demands, thus redeeming Adam’s tragic failure. And by His death on the cross, He met the justice of the law, which required the death of the sinner, thus gaining the right to redeem all who come to Him in true faith and surrender.
(49)
Of Christ's relation to His people, there is a beautiful illustration in the laws given to Israel. When through poverty a Hebrew had been forced to part with his patrimony, and to sell himself as a bondservant, the duty of redeeming him and his inheritance fell to the one who was nearest of kin. See Leviticus 25:25, 47-49; Ruth 2:20. So the work of redeeming us and our inheritance, lost through sin, fell upon Him who is "near of kin" unto us. It was to redeem us that He became our kinsman. Closer than father, mother, brother, friend, or lover is the Lord our Saviour. "Fear not," He says, "for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine." "Since thou wast precious in My sight, thou hast been honorable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life." Isaiah 43:1, 4. It might also be worthy to mention that Christ in His work of redemption began by gaining victory over the very same temptation where Adam and Eve fell and where most of us do stumble. This is the control of appetite and the passion for greatness leaving us an example to follow.
A name we want to remember is Jesus! He is the answer to things we haven't even asked for. He brought us the opportunity to be put right with God again.
Where does the Bible say that Christ was the "Son of God" before He was conceived in Mary?
Daniel 3:25 / AV
25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.
Isaiah 9:6, Matthew 1:18-23, and Isaiah 7:14 especially in verse 23 of Matthew quotes Isaiah 7:14
Excellent question, for there is an ongoing controversy within our SDA church as to whether or not Jesus was a real literal Son or not before the incarnation. Though the OT is quiet in comparison to the NT regarding the relationship between Jesus and God,Ellen White does give some valuable insight into this important topic. Why is it important? Because if Jesus is truly the Son of the Father,and not just a metaphorical concept as taught by many, then we gain a greater appreciation into the cost of our salvation, when we read such key NT scriptures such as John 3:16; Hebrews 1:1-3; and 1 John 5:5, 10-11. As to Ellen White, throughout her writings she referred constantly to Jesus as being the Son of God prior to the incarnation. Here are two examples among many.
“A complete offering has been made; for "God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son,"-- not a son by creation,as were the angels, nor a son by adoption, as is the forgiven sinner, but a Son begotten in the express image of the Father's person, and in all the brightness of his majesty and glory,one equal with God in authority, dignity,and divine perfection. In him dwelt all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.”
(Ellen G. White, Signs of the Times, 30th May 1895,
‘Christ our complete salvation’)
Take particular notice here of the three acts of God. These are creating, adopting and begetting. They are three different actions. Each of these words used here by Ellen White are verbs. Begotten in the sense given here by Ellen White was not a description of 'uniqueness' alone, as espoused by many, but a literal act of 'begetting' some time in the days of eternity.When, how far back, and the mechanics of how this took place, we do not know. But what is crystal clear is that it was not metaphorical.
God really did give His Son for our salvation...a third co-equal portion of the trinity did not 'take on the role of a son'...what love is that!
“The Eternal Father, the unchangeable one, gave his only begotten Son, tore from his bosom Him who was made in the express image of his person, and sent him down to earth to reveal how greatly beloved mankind."
(Ellen G. White, Review & Herald 9th July 1895 ‘The Duty of the Minister and the People’)
Bro James, l find it hard to believe the emphasis given of 'begetting described in your emphasis. Isa 9:6 clearly denotes that the so called Son is eternal Father. Unless the word eternal is not eternal enough for you to include begetting supposing a beginning. And there are levels of God please show, if Jesus is not God enough to be equal with God as shown in Phil 2:5. Because such explanations to simple text are confusing, the Bible is clear Jesus is God, was with God from e beginning and is equal with God. How then is he a Son, Isa 9:6, ''Unto us a Son is given'', when God talked to his Son in Heb 1:8 ''and said thy throne oh God is forever''referring to his Son. If he is the Son by begetting howbeit he has a throne everlasting. If in him dwelt the fullness of God bodily then why is he a God with a beginning when God doesn't.
“By this the love of God was displayed in us, in that God has sent His [One and] only begotten Son [the One who is truly unique, the only One of His kind] into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation [that is, the atoning sacrifice, and the satisfying offering] for our sins [fulfilling God’s requirement for justice against sin and placating His wrath].
We [who were with Him in person] have seen and testify [as eye-witnesses] that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.”
1 John 4:9-10, 14 (amp)
"Into the world" clearly implies that Christ was the Son of God before the creation of our world.
“In the beginning [before all time] was the Word ( Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. He was [continually existing] in the beginning [co-eternally] with God. All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him not even one thing was made that has come into being.
He (Christ) was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him.”
John 1:1-3, 10 (amp)
"He was in the beginning with God". "And though the world was made through Him."
Pretty powerful texts as to the existence of Christ before His incarnation(the second person of the Trinity assumed human form in the person of Jesus Christ and is completely both God and man). Who could sin but didn't
A Huge price paid! I wonder if Adam saw what his disobedience would cause to the Son of God, but I have done things that contribute to the reason Jesus had to pay such a big price. Sin is treacherous, it hurts so much, destroys, breaks our lives!
The plan for our redemption was a revelation of that plan in Romans 16:25 is "the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began." God in His divine wisdom had the intervention plan in place should Adam fall. These are the principles that are the foundation of God’s throne: Love, mercy and grace. Christ's declaration "Lo, I come (in the volume of the Book it is written of Me,) to do Thy will, O God" Heb 10:7 is the announcement of the plan.
The term "fullness of time" denotes the appointed time the plan had to be implemented as planned. The salvation of man is come. Christ had to assume the nature of Adam who transgressed God's law. The two natures came together to form a grand coalition against sin. They all met in Jesus to form a character that will return the fallen race to God.
In order to reach out to fallen humanity ,God needed to reach humanity through humanity.
He needed all the human faculties [Heb 2:14]. Only humanity could reach humanity. "The Son of man came eating and drinking. . ." Matt 11:19 meaning He is a full man born under the same channel (law). He was a real human. He identified Himself with man in every aspect. He was exposed to temptations that come along with being human.
He became the least of the least. "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head." Luke 9:58. He met the full description of the Messiah in Isaiah 53:1-3. He was subject to the infirmities and weaknesses by which man lives. He felt the brutal truth of what sin has done to man ["My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" Matt 27:46].
Paul sums up the whole story of Christ in this manner "For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh” [it could not justify the sinner]. “God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh (broke the power of sin) that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit” (Romans 5:1 ; 8:3, 4). The law requires a righteous life and a perfect character. It is only Jesus Christ who fits these conditions.
I have a question!
Since when have we started to talk about "virgin birth"?
Tafie, I am not sure what you are asking, however Matthew 18-25 are several verses that explain the vrgin birth.
Since bible times:
Isa 7:14 - Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Matt 1:23 - “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
Amen! God chose to use a human woman to give his son a human body. That woman was a virgin and the Holy Spirit just simply spoke his creative power into that virgin's womb and the virgin, Mary, became pregnant by the Holy Spirit's creative power----the same creative power that spoke this world into existence----spoke the human body of Jesus into existence in the virgin Mary's womb.
The virgin birth is one of the many signs that Jesus is the Messiah. No one else qualifies! Heid the Son of God not Joseph,
It took me one man's action to condemn humanity and One man to redeem us from this horrible deed. Thank you Jesus for paying that great price that freed us from the law which enslaved us!
It's very comforting to know that we can ask for forgiveness because Christ lived as flesh and was tempted, therefore he understands.
I am so grateful, that god loves us enough, no matter how unworthy, that He was willing to take our place on the cross
Psalms 2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
Acts 13:33 God fulfilled the prophecy/promise of Psalm 2 saying this day have I begotten thee.
Hebrews 1:5 I will be to him a Father, and He shall be to me a Son.
A specific time, namely the incarnation that Jesus literally become the Son of God. Before that it was spoken in prophetic words. Jesus appeared as an Angel of the Covenant and as a man at different occasions in the Old Testament too.