QT 25/12/2024 Wed. Christmas Message 07. When the fullness of time had come. 但到了时机成熟。

QT 25/12/2024 Wed. Christmas Message 07. When the fullness of time had come.
READ http://www.esvbible.org/gal4:4-5

Galatians 4:4–5 [4] But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, [5] to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. (ESV)

The Christmas message did not originate from the mind of the churches nor their leaders. It originated from God. The consequence of this perspective is that the power of the message is divine, even if mortals like you and I repeat it to others during this Christmas. Secondly, the messenger like you and I must proclaim because it is God's command and that those who reject the message ultimately reject God, not you nor I.

(1) "When the fullness of time had come" points the time which a father might set for his child for inheriting his full inheritance. Different cultures have different practices and laws. But the idea is the same—this time of fullness is set by the fathers on earth, and Father in heaven. Do you feel the significance of the Christmas message?

(2) "God sent forth his Son" points to the supernatural mission of God. Once again, not human wisdom nor planning, but the active agent and sender is God himself. It is not your oratorical prowess that undergirds the message. It is not your pedigree nor aura of family background.

(3) "Born of woman, born under the law" speaks of the method by which God accomplished this. Fullness of understanding Christ includes understanding his humanity. Males and females are both "born of woman". Jesus' life as a human being perfectly fulfilled all the requirements of the law, pointing to his credentials to save the rest of humanity as well. Even though he was under the law, Jesus was self-sufficient and capable of fulfilling the law by his own without the help of other humans, slave-attendants, guardians or masters of the household.

(4) "To redeem" and to "receive adoptions" point to the end goals of the Christmas message. Slaves were redeemed from the slave market during Paul and Jesus' time. But the ultimate destination is not just to be a freed slave, but to be a child of God. What a privilege and responsibility.

Merry Christmas! Recognise the fullness of time had come. Stand tall as children of God, and not going back to be slaves nor wallow in the mud of the old lifestyle.

QT 25/12/2024 星期三. 圣诞信息 07: 但到了时机成熟
http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/gal/4

加拉太书 4:4–5 但到了时机成熟，　神就差遣他的儿子，由女人所生，而且生在律法之下，5 要把律法之下的人救赎出来，好让我们得着嗣子的名分。

圣诞节的信息并非源自教会或教会领袖的思想。它源自上帝。这一观点的后果是，即使像你我这样的凡人在圣诞节期间向他人分享这一信息，它的力量也是神圣的。其次，像你我这样的信使必须宣讲，因为这是上帝的命令，那些拒绝信息的人最终拒绝的是上帝，而不是你我。

(1）“及至时候满足” 指的是父亲为他的孩子设定的继承全部遗产的时间。不同的文化有不同的习俗和法律。但意思是有一样的地方，这丰满的时间是由地上的父亲和天上的父亲确定的。你感受到圣诞节信息里伟大的意义了吗？

(2）“神就差遣他的儿子” 指出了上帝超自然的使命。经文再一次提醒，不是人的智慧，也不是人的计划，而是上帝自己是主动者和发送者。支撑这一信息的不是你的口才，也不是你的血统或家庭背景的光环。

(3) “为女子所生，且生在律法以下” 说的是上帝实现这一目标的方法。充分理解基督包括理解他的人性。男性和女性都是 “女子所生”。耶稣作为人的一生完全符合律法的所有要求，这表明他也有资格拯救全人类。尽管耶稣是在律法之下，但他自给自足，无需其他人、奴隶看护人、监护人或家庭主人的帮助，自己就能履行律法。

(4) “赎出来” 和 “得着儿子的名分” 指向圣诞节信息的最终目标。在保罗和耶稣时代，奴隶被从奴隶市场上赎回。但最终的目的不仅仅是成为一个获得自由的奴隶，而是成为上帝的儿女。这是何等的特权和责任。

圣诞快乐！ 认识及至时候满足的时刻已经到来。 挺胸作为上帝的儿女，站得高高的，不要再做奴隶，也不要再沉浸在旧生活方式的泥潭中。