November 10, 2002
Galatians 1:4
Who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this
present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.
What would you say is the basic reason as to why Christ came to this earth? We know it was to die on the cross for sinners.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet
sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
What exactly did that work accomplish? Many things. However, there is one specific thing that He accomplished through that death. Galatians 1:4 pretty much epitomizes that purpose for us –
“that He might rescue us from this present evil age.”
Rescue is the key word in this sentence. We were bound up in sin and deceit. The death of Christ loosed us from sin that held us in bondage. What a truth this is! It is like we were in a burning building, or on a raging sea. Imagine being pulled from a burning room. You would be eternally grateful to the one who rescued you!
Likewise we should rejoice and be eternally grateful to the One who pulled us from the world and all its fiery evil. This is all in accordance with God’s perfect will.
There is much to get out of this verse. “This present evil age.” This age we live in is evil because it is, by God’s permission, controlled by the evil one. Satan places things before us that are designed to tempt us to go against God’s will. However, God has prepared us to withstand the temptations of Satan. We have the armor of God and the power of God to make that armor effective (see Ephesians 6:10 ff, Galatians 5:18).
One day we will be completely removed from the presence of the evil one. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ guarantees that. This is all designed to bring glory and honor to His Name.
So beloved, today God is rescuing us from evil. Let’s cooperate with Him to the fullest. God bless each and every one of you!
In Christ’s love,