The Fruit of Righteousness

"The fruit of righteousness will be peace;
   the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever."
Isaiah 32:17

The Bible speaks of righteousness from beginning to end. In the purest sense of the word, it means to have right-standing with someone. As Christians, we understand that we have right-standing with God because of what Jesus did for us. He died and rose again to cover our sin and remove the chasm that separated us from God. Isaiah spoke of righteousness often. He prophesied regarding the coming of Christ many times. In his own understanding, he had no idea the eternal impact his words would have or the great victory he was speaking of. But I think it is important that we understand what righteousness does for us. Jesus literally took our sin in exchange for his righteousness. He has perfect standing with God the Father and now it is ours. So what is the fruit of having this kind of relationship with God?
    Righteousness produces peace. When we are in right-standing with God, there is a perfect peace that is only available through that relationship. Righteousness is a word that has become so common in Christian circles that I think we forget the importance of it. When Isaiah wrote these prophetic words, he could only imagine what true righteousness was. Before Jesus imparted it to all of us, there was no real righteousness in the world except through performance. If a person made all the right sacrifices, obeyed all the rules, and treated others well, he might be considered righteous. But few could live up to the rigors involved. Righteousness is now a free gift offered through Jesus Christ. And when we have it, we have peace. In a world filled with turmoil and war, peace is seldom really found. But in Christ we have it and peace carries us through difficulties.
    It seems that people who are genuinely righteous, don't have to make a lot of noise about it. They don't have to announce their righteousness, they live it instead. As Isaiah said, there is a quietness and confidence that comes along with righteousness. There is a misconception that those who are righteous are better people. They may be seen as more holy than others. Although holiness is important and we are all working toward it, righteousness is a free gift that all of us can have. No one is better than anyone else because it is the righteousness of Christ, not our own. All we have to do is receive the forgiveness of sin that Christ has offered and then continue to confess our sin before him, asking for him to keep us pure before him. When we do this, we have righteousness that the Old Testament folks could only dream about.
    I don't know about you, but I desire to have the peace that can only be mine through the righteousness of Christ. I want to have that quiet confidence in God. I want to be fully assured that God is taking care of me, fighting for me, rescuing me, and delivering me from my struggles. True righteousness is manifested through quietness and confidence. One who possesses these things does not have to advertise it. It is seen by others through their lives. Join me in understanding that we have the righteousness of Christ. That righteousness will overcome turmoil and fear. In their place, a quiet and confident spirit will blossom. Meditate on the righteousness that is already yours. Gain victory over the doubts you have and realize that you have full access to our Father. He wants you to approach him. He is happy when he sees you coming. All of this is true because you are in right-standing with him. You are his own flesh and blood. Be confident and experience the fruit of righteousness.