RIGHTEOUSNESS & PEACE

“The work of righteousness will be peace, and
the effect of righteousness,
quietness and assurance forever.”
Isaiah 32:17
(New King James Version)

Righteousness is the condition or state of being in right standing or relationship with God. We are declared righteous by faith alone in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:22). The Christian bears the fruit of right standing and relationship with God by doing things according to God’s established standards found in the word of God, called works of righteousness.
The product of being in right standing with God and obeying his word will result in peace. If you do things the Bible way, you will get Bible results. The scripture always connects righteousness and peace. Psalm 85:10 says, “Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.” In Romans 14:17, Paul says, “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” The whole armor of God includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness and then, the shoes of peace. Where there is no righteousness, there can be no peace. God is Jehovah-Tsidkenu, God our Righteousness, (Jeremiah 23:6) and Jehovah-Shalom, God our Peace, (Judges 6:24). You can’t have one without the other. But, righteousness always precedes peace. When the righteous principles and commands of God are adhered to and obeyed, the result will be peace. Proverbs 16:7 says, “When a man's ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” Again, righteousness precedes peace.
Does this mean because you live righteously that you will never have conflict, trials and tribulations? NO! Jesus said in John 16:33, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” Again, Jesus said “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give peace to you as the world gives.” (John 14:27). So, what is peace? It is the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is. The peace that the world offers is a false sense of security and the promise of an end of conflict.
The work of Christ on the cross satisfied God’s righteous standard and brought peace with God for mankind. The rewards of righteousness and righteous living are both present and eternal peace. His peace will cause all the trials of this world to fade in insignificance. The effect of righteousness is undisturbed tranquility and security in Christ Jesus. Do you need peace today? “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).