/The fruit of righteousness/ The fruit of righteousness

The fruit of righteousness



                                    

Prize Chukwuka



What is the fruit of righteousness? What does the Bible say about this? Many have said the fruit of righteousness refers to a believer’s good behavior or good works. Well I believe in right living as the product of right believing. But that’s not what the fruit of righteousness means. The fruit of righteousness does not mean good works. Anybody can be good. As a matter of fact, you don’t have to be a Christian to be a good person or to do well.  
Notice  that the word “fruit” in the term “fruit of righteousness” is expressed in the singular tense in the following passages; Hebrews 12:11, James 3:18, Amos 6:12, Proverbs 11:30. However, in Philippians 1:11, it is called “Fruits of righteousness”. Notice the “s” after the word fruit. They all mean the same thing. The “s” does not change the meaning of the term. The KJV translators should not have added the “s” to the word fruit. This is so because the Greek word translated as fruit is “Karpon, or Kapos”. In this sense it is never used in the plural sense. This is so because a particular tree never bears different kinds of fruits, but a particular type of fruit synonymous with it. For instance an orange tree can only bear one type of fruit-i.e. Orange fruit. No matter their number, they’re still the same kind of fruit. So when you say “orange fruit” you’re referring to a particular kind of fruit, not fruits from other kinds of trees. So Paul never used the word “Karpon” in these scriptures in reference to different kinds of fruit. Do you now see the reason why the word “Fruit” should never have been pluralized by translators? Thank God for them “sha” (meaning; anyway).
You remember the Bible calls us “Trees of Righteousness,” (Isaiah 61:3). This means we bring forth the “fruit of righteousness.” To truly understand what this means, we must first understand the meaning of the word “righteousness”.    I am going to go straight to the point. “Righteousness” In simple explanation means “Right Standing.” It speaks of the perfect right standing which we have with God the Father. That is, the perfect kind of nature and relationship which we have with Him through our union with Christ in the New Birth.
Therefore, the “Fruit of righteousness” simply speaks of the result or effect of this new relationship which we now have with God our father in Christ. How do we know this is true? Do we have any scripture to prove this truth? Of course we do. God has given us a revelation of this in the Old Testament. You see, it is very important for you to know that, you can only use the Bible to unlock/understand the Bible. Not by mere human guess or opinion of sense knowledge. The word of God is very plane on this.
The Bible tells us plainly that the “fruit of righteousness” is Peace, which brings rest and assurance forever. Isaiah while prophesying tells us that;
The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.” (Isaiah 32:17, NIV).
Do you see it now?
The Peace referred to here is not the peace of the world as some people may think. It is peace with God. That is to say, righteousness produces in us a kind of peace with God, such that we no longer live or walk in condemnation, guilty, and fear in God’s presence because of our union with Him through our Lord Jesus Christ. This peace is one that gives us assurance or security and that makes us to stop struggling to please God. Many Christians, in their effort to please God wind up struggling in religion. This doesn’t please God. Religion can never please God, but faith does, Hebrews 11; 6.
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2 Comments
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Anonymous said…
What a message, and a powerful eye opener, thank you Pastor, i am blessed
Unknown said…
What a message, i never saw it this way, now i know better, i am empowered