And the work of righteousness will be peace, and the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever.
Isaiah 32:17
When are lives are marked by godly righteousness, three things are ours to enjoy. But before we look at those attributes of righteousness, let’s look at how righteousness becomes ours.
First, righteousness can be defined as “being right with God.” And this important characteristic of the Christian life does not come from our behavior rather it comes through faith in Jesus Christ. Consider the following passages revealing this truth:
But to the one who does not work (for his salvation), but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness…
Romans 4:5
…for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness…
Romans 10:10a
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
2 Corinthians 5:21
When we belong to Christ, we are righteous. Our behavior may or may not always line up with that truth but when we are saved, we become righteous. And this righteousness, because it is based on the actions of Christ rather than ours, we can count on it. And when we discover and embrace this amazing truth, we begin to see three attributes become a part of our life.
- Peace
The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You.
Isaiah 26:3
When we belong to Christ, we experience peace. When our minds are steadfast on Him, we also experience peace. When we trust in Him with all of our heart, again, the result is peace. Consider the words of Paul:
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
When God is at the center of our prayers, our hopes, and our dreams, we see anxiety flee and the peace of God comes to us and brings us comfort.
- Quietness
But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.
1 Thessalonians 4:10b-12
We have probably all seen people who seem to take pride at being the loudest person in the room. Perhaps they believe that they will become more influential the louder they become. But the truth is that when we are confident in who we are in Jesus, we need not be the loudest or even the most persuasive person in the room. In fact, the Bible reminds us that, as believers, we should focus on what God has called us to be and to work at that in all quietness. People will always be drawn to a spirit of peace, confidence, and kindness. When we go about our business, knowing that our efforts will be rewarded by God, we can lead a quiet life yet still manage to affect people in a positive way.
- Confidence
Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
2 Corinthians 3:4-6
If there is anything that Christians should experience, it is confidence. What makes us adequate to consider ourselves righteous and qualified to become ministers of the new covenant is the work of Jesus on the cross. When we understand that our standing with God is now based on faith in Jesus and life in the Spirit and not on works of the Law, we can relax, living in confidence and security.
Peace, quietness, and confidence all come to the one who places his/her faith in the finished work of Jesus on the cross. When we understand that, through faith, we are declared righteous before God, we can live in victory and influence others for the gospel.
Are you experiencing all that righteousness brings?
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