Timing Is Everything

Life is about timing.

Timing is important in many aspects of life.

We all ask, “why”?

The proverbial “why”. Yet, this is important. It is a fundamental question. Sometimes we get an answer.

Are you a child or an adult?

Interesting question isn’t it? Yet as we come to our text this morning it is important we ask the previous two questions. Paul is doing that for us.

The Law revealed sin.

This is part of the “why” answer.

The Law was for a time essential.

Now it is still important. We can use it as a guide but now we are under the Spirit.

The Law acted like a babysitter.

Babysitters are necessary for kids of a certain age. However, if at the age of 18 you still need a babysitter then we must ask the question, “why”. Sometimes this is necessary but for the most part it is not.

But now we are sons of God.

Yes to some extent it means children, as the NIV, and other translators say but in doing so we can miss the point of what Paul is saying.

Being a son meant intimacy.

This is not the case today but in Paul’s day it was absolutely the case. How do we create intimacy: by praying, by reading Christ’s word, by obeying Him, by being with His people, etc.

Sonship meant having a future.

We are heirs because and in Christ Jesus. We have a future.

Sonship meant maturity and “adulthood”.

There was a progression and this is the point, partly, of what Paul is stating.

Christ died at just the right time.

God’s timing can be trusted. We do not understand it but Paul is reminding us that God’s timing can be trusted.

In Christ race/cultural status is redeemed.

One culture is not “better” than another.

In Christ social status is redeemed.

Where you are socially does not hold importance anymore.

In Christ sexuality & gender are redeemed.

This is revolutionary on many fronts and I think we need to allow it.

Jewish Prayer: “Blessed be God that he did not make me a Gentile, blessed be God that he did not make me ignorant or a slave; blessed be God that he did not make me a woman.” Tosefta Berakoth 7:18

Put on Christ!

Just as we get dressed and “change” clothes each day so too put on Christ intentionally each day.