"But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son . . ." (v. 4)

For Reading and Meditation:     Galatians 4:1-8

The Incarnation, we are saying, is one of the chief distinctives of the Christian faith. But there are some within the Church today who cast doubt on this and many other aspects of Christianity. The Christian faith is being attacked not only from the outside but also from within. The source of these attacks can be traced to those theological seminaries and training establishments which adopt a liberal approach to Christianity. Christ was not born of a virgin, they say, the miracles can be accounted for psychologically, and though Christ died on a cross His resurrection was not a physical one but a spiritual one. A theological student, who is taking a course in comparative religions, said: "If I were to accept what I am being taught, then I would leave college with the idea that the Christian faith has slightly higher moral teaching than other religions, is a little more consistent in its view of God and man, and is a little better in general, but not unique." Is it any wonder that so many students graduate from such institutions with few or no convictions and with nothing to preach - no gospel, no good news-nothing except philosophical arguments or a moral code? How sad that from so many pulpits one hears nothing more than a word become - moralism, philosophy, and so on. In a radio interview the interviewer asked me: "You go around the world preaching. What do you have that other religions do not have?" It was a good question and valid. The answer was simple and simply given: "I have Jesus Christ, the Word become flesh."

O Father, though we see You faintly through the lattice of nature, that would never have been sufficient to satisfy the longing of our hearts. You have come to us in the Person of Your Son. Now we are satisfied. All praise and glory be unto Your worthy Name. Amen.