THE RIGHTEOUSNESS EFFECT

Monday 9 September

The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. Isaiah 32:17 (NKJV)

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17 (NKJV)

Have you ever noticed in your Bible reading times several scriptures that show a direct relationship between righteousness and peace?

The law of double mention makes it doctrinal and therefore worth investigating further.

The word righteousness: tsedaqah in Hebrew and dikaiosune in Greek generically mean the ‘rightness of God’. There are many applications to this but none greater than the righteousness that comes by grace through faith in Christ.

The word peace: ‘shalom’ in Hebrew and ‘eirene’ in Greek means many things such as happiness, health, wealth and welfare. It also denotes the cessation of war that creates prosperity.

Did you know the war over your soul ended when you were born again and you have come into the rest of God? We were at enmity with God which is like two countries at war with one another before surrendering to the ‘Soter’ in salvation.

Just like Isaiah was prophesying for Israel as a nation, we now experience the effect of righteousness which is quietness and assurance forever. The main thrust here is quietness, so you can serve God and others. It reminds me of 1 Timothy 2:2b that says ‘so we may live quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and honesty’…

Assurance speaks of boldness, confidence, hope, safety, security and surety. The assurance we have as believers, is that we can never lose our salvation because it is based on Jesus’ righteousness and performance and we will live forever because we have received eternal life! This is the righteousness effect.

APPLICATION

Become conscious of the truth that if you are in Christ, you are at peace with God and be full of thanksgiving for the righteousness that you have become in Him.