Heb 12:22-23...But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
What is the spirit of a just man? How is a just man made perfect? Is perfection present tense or future? Who are the just? The Bible teaches the just shall live by faith! A justified man is a man pardoned by the Grace of God. A just man has received the righteousness of God by faith in Christ. A just man is "right" in the sight of God because God declared him right.
Justification is a God given state that makes the soul of man eligible to receive Heaven at the point of death to the physical body. That's why Jesus told the thief on the cross, "Today thou shalt be with me in Paradise." The spirits of just men go directly to Heaven at the point of death. Why? These souls are justified and declared innocent in the eyes of God. God's redemption allowed the just man to be eligible for Eternal life in Heaven. These believers in Christ have peace, contentment, and hope in this present life. The guilt of sin has been lifted from that conscience and personal forgiveness has been granted to that soul because of trust in the sacrifice of Christ alone for forgiveness of sins.
Spirit's of just men can be made perfect in this life. Perfection is not a state that is only reached in Heaven's future tense. Perfection is another state the justified believer can obtain in this present life. Present tense perfection is obtained when the believing heart is sanctified from Indwelling sin. Some people try to make the following verse future tense - as they do not acknowledge the perfect work of God's sanctifying power in this present life. Justification (present tense) makes the believer eligible to receive Heaven when the body dies. Sanctification (present tense) is the perfect work of God's Holy Spirit that follows Justification! Both can be obtained in life - this side of Heaven!
Additional note:
The Greek text of the Bible says," the spirits of perfected just men"...putting perfection in the present tense.
Justification makes men eligible to be made perfect. In perfection God's sanctifying power rids the justified man of the Adamic life.
Justification gives man a holy heart. Holiness of heart allows man to be "sanctified" or "perfected"...in this present life after Justification is experienced.
Justification permits the initial work of the Holy Spirit in salvation and prepares the heart for the final work of Spirit that comes in sanctification or perfection...
Justification (a complete work) deals with the acts of sin
Sanctification removes the Adamic Nature
Perfection is the completed work of the Spirit in this life.
The Greek text of the Bible says," the spirits of perfected just men"...putting perfection in the present tense.
Justification makes men eligible to be made perfect. In perfection God's sanctifying power rids the justified man of the Adamic life.
Justification gives man a holy heart. Holiness of heart allows man to be "sanctified" or "perfected"...in this present life after Justification is experienced.
Justification permits the initial work of the Holy Spirit in salvation and prepares the heart for the final work of Spirit that comes in sanctification or perfection...
Justification (a complete work) deals with the acts of sin
Sanctification removes the Adamic Nature
Perfection is the completed work of the Spirit in this life.
Rightly divided and scripture supported indeed. Remain true and faithful. Amen! God bless you sir.
ReplyDelete