“…to the spirits of just men made perfect”

The Apostle is anxiously fighting for their lives, as with oars shipped, they drift rapidly away in the strong currents of Judaism. He writes to direct their eyes and energies to Christ — the ONE who stands as superior to angels, Moses, and all things Mosaic as sunshine does to shadow. Aware that Messiah would be so, faithful Jews of earlier generations had desired a “heavenly city”. This was to come upon earth, with its reward of perfection for this “great cloud of witnesses”, and also the faithful witnesses alive at his coming. Apart from us, he says, these just men (spoken of in Hebrews 11), “shall not be made perfect”. The argument now complete, the masterly summary of Hebrews 12:22-24 is attached as his personal seal. With this glorious goal set before them, which brother or sister would not now be bending the oars with fanatical zeal?

Spirits

Part of that goal was the desire to come “to the spirits of just men made perfect”. It can be rightly argued that in this context “spirits” and “just men” are synonymous, but there is more to be gained by considering both separately. Using the Old Testament, the lips of these “Hebrews” could spell out the fundamental doctrine “Man is. Mortal”, as clearly as Christadelphian lips do today. Adam’s example was there to draw upon. God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, causing a creature of dust to become a living soul (person). Job, observing this pattern to be unaltered, said[1] “The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath (spirit) of the Almighty hath given me life”. James wrote to them, quite possibly well before this “Hebrews” letter, taking for granted,[2] “the body without the spirit is dead”. And what of the spirit?[3] “it shall return unto God who gave it”. And what of man’s soul (personality)? According to David[4] “in that very day his thoughts perish”. For these and many other scriptural reasons it was clear to them that man completely perishes at death. Therefore faces would brighten at the Apostle’s hopeful question reminding them that the grave could be unlocked.[5] “shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits and live?”

They had been born anew into the Father’s spiritual family. A remembrance of James’ letter would quickly still any selfish sense of achievement, for there is only one Father and[6] “of His own will begat He us with the word of truth”. The birth of each one’s spirit of godliness was but a humble beginning. Ahead stretched the road of life threading its way through difficult terrain. It was a very real challenge. Hands could not afford to be weary! Knees must not be feeble! For there were other hands relaxing their hold on God’s promises, and knees in need of strengthening. Many obstacles requiring removal lay in the path of the lame and the weary in spirit. To the discerning hearer of the letter however, the end of the road was visibly glorious. Did not the context of Isaiah 35 (the passage alluded to) speak also of rejuvenated deserts (spiritual as well as physical), and sorrow banished by joy? When the redeemed, alive for ever, should see the visible presence of the glory of the Lord amongst them.

Just Men

Any who were familiar with the Proverbs would have gleaned from them this impression of a just man. He walks in integrity. His path is a shining light. Because he is teachable, he is blessed. His mouth speaks wisdom. His tongue reveals knowledge which will deliver him. His memory is blessed. Such an impression speaks of Christ! But, of whom could it be claimed in the Hebrews 11 honour roll? Too often, fault-finding gains ascendancy amongst the children of God, and perhaps they, like us, were guilty of this question and the following thoughts. “Imagine Samson breaking his life-long Nazarite vow, when Delilah vexed his soul unto death.” “Fancy Gideon making an ephod for all Israel to worship, instead of directing them to God, their Saviour from the Midianites.” “Where is the integrity of Jacob the deceiver?” Left to the mercies of human judgment, such men may well be classed as unacceptable to God. Fortunately not man[7] “but the Lord weigheth the spirits,” and He has decreed that[8] “the just shall live by his faith”. What he finds in a just man is that although he[9] “falleth seven times, and riseth up again : but the wicked shall fall — into mischief”. God concentrates His delight not in the stumbling of the just, but in their persistent effort to love. Unlike the wicked, they fall but they do not fail. The wicked, on the other hand, do both. Having lost the basic love of the Lord, they regard faith in His promises as too intangible compared to the real experiences of life. The world grasps them back eagerly, sympathising with them for having been so deceived as to ever make a covenant with God. But are they not all Esaus? Have they not spurned by choice the birthright which is theirs?[10] “treading under foot, the Son of God, counting the blood of the covenant by which they were sanctified an unholy thing, and having done despite unto the Spirit of grace”.

The just become trained by the chastening of the Lord, their spirits forged into a two-edged sword (the Word of God) which can battle successfully against their own fleshly thoughts. They are men and women of action. Action in the Lord’s service at the expense of selfish action. Look at them! Abel offered an acceptable sacrifice. Noah built an ark. Abraham left home to search for a country. Moses gave up the treasures of Egypt in exchange for the fellowship of his brethren. And yet they could not attain to the standard of the Just Man of Proverbs[11] “For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not”.

Made Perfect

How could they be so confident of achieving the perfection offered through the Abrahamic promises? The Lord God had laid down a very definite method from at least the time of Abel onwards. It was that of[12] “a covenant with God by sacrifice”. As had been explained earlier in this letter to the Hebrews, a more perfect sacrifice was required, who[13] “by the grace of God should taste death for every man — being made perfect through sufferings”. The atonement of sins is possible through [14]“being now justified by his blood — and — saved by his life”. Perfection comes because of[15] “grace reigning through righteousness unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord”. The faithful of all ages have ever recognised the all-important part played by God’s grace. Perfection could not be earned by their own spiritual efforts. In confidence they look to the time when “the Lord who weighs the spirits” will balance the judgment scales with His grace and loving forgiveness.

[16]“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” And so it is a very dark glass through which they view this glorious company of “the spirits of just men made perfect”. For the strong in faith, the glass will clear, the eyes will open to this magnificent scene. They will find to their joyful astonishment that they too are sharing in this glorious perfection. [17]

Just as the kingdom of God and its glories will be upon earth, so now we cannot remain with our heads in the clouds. The Apostle warns us to keep our feet firmly planted on the earth when he exhorts us[18] “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord”. How else can this be achieved but by travelling through life close to the Master’s side?

There are occasions in life (both within and without the brotherhood) which affect our spirits and give sufficient cause for faint knees and weary hands. Dare we feebly succumb by dropping the oars? Never! For the Apostle’s words are today fighting just as anxiously for our lives. Strong currents of materialism or even “Christadelphianism” (as an “ism”, a tradition just as valueless as that of the Pharisees) must not be allowed to sap our energies. He writes to direct our eyes and energies to Christ — to the spirit of a Just Man made perfect.

Quotations

[1] Job 33:4

[2] James 2:26

[3] Ecclesiastes 12:7

[4] Psalm 146:4

[5] Hebrews 12:9

[6] James 1:18

[7] Proverbs 16:2

[8] Habakkuk 2:4

[9] Proverbs 24:16

[10] Hebrews 10:29

[11] Ecclesiastes 7:20

[12] Psalm 50:5

[13] Hebrews 2:9-10

[14] Romans 5:9-11

[15] Romans 5:21

[16] 1 Corinthians 2:9

[17] Isaiah 35:5, Mathew 25:31-40, Hebrews 11:40

[18] Hebrews 12:14