The Fruit of Righteousness Will Be Peace

Why bother?  I sometimes wonder. The Bible proclaims that the Fruit of Righteousness Will Be Peace, but where is this fruit?  Why keep trying if–to our eyes–it’s a fruitless endeavor? It’s a common complaint in the Bible and in life: Why do bad things happen to good people and people who seem wicked to the core manage to escape problems?  When will the chickens come home to roost?

Of course, the Bible says it differently.  In Ecclesiastes the writer calls it meaningless and simply says he doesn’t understand.  Jeremiah out-and-out complains.  Gotta love those prophets, saying it like it is.

You are always righteous, O LORD, when I bring a case before you. Yet I would speak with you about your justice: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease?  (Jeremiah 12:1)

Life certainly doesn’t seem fair on so many fronts. I have learned this much:  My perspective is out of whack when I ask, “Why I should bother being righteous if it doesn’t look like it’s going to get me anywhere?”

Well, today’s pictured Scripture gives us a clue on the proper perspective.  Righteousness produces fruit called peace.  It comes in two flavors: The peace we have with God and the inner peace that anchors our hearts.  It shows in our lives and reinforces the hope we have in what we do not see.  So at the end of the day, by faith, what do we get from righteous living? Quietness, a ceasing from striving.  But we also get confident assurance that what we don’t see today will someday be rewarded.

It’s the essence of hope in God and faith in Christ.  The Fruit of Righteousness Will Be Peace.  That’s enough to keep me going.  What about you?