The Fruits of Righteousness
I discussed our need for a revelation of being made the righteousness of God and how this will produce a victorious Christian life. We found in 2 Corinthians 5:21 that He hath made Him (Jesus) to be sin…that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. Because of the sacrifice of Jesus in our place, we now have right standing with God the Father. We can stand in His presence without a sense of sin, fear, or condemnation.
Let me now share with you what righteousness will produce which are as the Apostle Paul said, the fruits of righteousness. First, let’s read a prayer that the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to pray for the Body of Christ, and then we will discuss how to put the prayer to work in your behalf.
3I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy…9And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; 10that ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; 11being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
Philippians 1:3-4, 9-11
Did you notice that Paul is praying that we will be filled with the fruits of righteousness? That says to me that there are products of righteousness. In other words, my right standing with God is actually a spiritual force and will produce certain things in my behalf. What are they? The answer can be found in Isaiah 32:17, And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever.
The fruits of righteousness are peace, quietness, and assurance. The word peace can be translated from the Greek as a harmonious relationship. The word harmonious is defined as well-proportioned, agreeable, or balanced. Our right-standing with God produces for us a harmonious relationship with Him, one that is as well-proportioned as the relationship between the Father and the Lord Jesus.
Through the obedience of Jesus, we can now enjoy the same relationship that He spoke of in John 17. As we read this, notice that Jesus is praying for us.
…11Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are…21That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee…23that they may be made perfect in one…
John 17:11, 21, 23
We find that the prayer has been answered, and we now have this kind of relationship.
14For he is our peace (harmonious relationship), who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace.
Ephesians 2:14-15 (additions mine)
Praise God, we now have peace with God; we now have a harmonious, well-proportioned relationship with Him. We are one in Jesus. What a relationship! Can there be any impossibility? No! Jesus said, The Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works (John 14:10 Glory to God! I have the same relationship and can say it is God working in me both to will and to do his good pleasure (Philippians 2:13 paraphrased).
The word peace also denotes rest and contentment, a quietness of the mind and heart. Jesus said in John 14:27, Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Praise God, even in the midst of turmoil I can have the peace of God. My right standing with God produced it, and now I begin to realize that.
If God be for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper…
Isaiah 54:17
6Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made know unto God. 7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
Because we have been made righteous, we can make our request directly to the Father. As you make your request, righteousness will produce peace (rest and contentment), quietness, and assurance that your need will be met. The word quietness is translated as tranquility arising from within.
When the force of righteousness is motivating your prayer life, it will produce rest and quietness in your heart and mind. You’ll find that the struggle with faith is over. You’ll notice that calmness will come over you and assurance will flood your very being. The word assurance literally means the engrossing effect of the expectation to the fulfillment of God’s promise.
Righteousness is truly one of God’s most precious gifts to man. I encourage you to lean hard on your right standing with God and enjoy its effects.
