The Fullness of Time

But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law . . . -Galatians 4:4

The fullness of time as pertains to the period when Christ Jesus walked among us in bodily form is noticeably bereft of photographic, cinematic, and audio-phonic repetition.

Could it be because it has been the intent of God from the beginning to have prophets, apostles, evangelists, and teachers in His Church, all of whom He uses as His very own mouth piece in the midst of people who need a salvation delivered to them not through airwaves and imagination, but through tangible means such baptism, supper, preaching, and absolution?

Absolutely.

That is largely why a man of this world in this age is loathe to bring himself under the discipline of the Church, preferring instead to tickle his own ears and fancy with musings untamed by the words of those who have studied and who know what the Word of the LORD says in every time and place.

It is inherently painful to dwell in the midst of people who look you in the eye and speak the truth, but without Truth there is no discipline. Without pain there is no discipline. Without discipline there is no life. Therefore God has placed His own speech in our midst though men who preach the Gospel so that that discipline may be administered according to His Word and will.

It is painful because it cuts to the core both individually and corporately. You cannot "be your own man" in this place. Nor can you be "everyone's friend." What you are, instead, is a child of God. A member of His Body.

His is a body that suffers and cries out. His is a body that lives here in time and also in eternity, because eternity has entered into time in the fullness of time at such a time when the phony mediums mentioned above were unavailable to offer any falseness, titillation, or self-enriching pablum your flesh would like to conjure up for itself.

In addition to entering into this mortal life in the fullness of time, your LORD Jesus Christ also lives in His flesh (and yours!) to precisely the right age to fulfill all righteousness. Most who have studied the matter say He dwelt in our midst in bodily form as we know it for a period of 33 years.

Why not 930 years like the first Adam? Why not till the age He was given to open the scroll and read of Himself in the Synagogue saying, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing?”

Whatever the reason, you may be sure of this: In His body He performed and suffered everything necessary for you to enter into eternal life, and He is intent on delivering this righteousness to you daily and richly.

Whatever your hands and feet, reason and senses, have done that are contrary to the holy will and purpose of God, He, by the age of 33 years, was able and willing to perform before the face of God while pouring out His soul unto death, hungering and thirsting for your vindication and life. You may also reckon that, whether you have reached the age of conception or the age of several decades, this Righteousness is all you need for all time.

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