"The Fruit of Righteousness"

March 09, 2021 | By Chuck

Very few, if any, feel righteous. But righteousness is not about how we feel, it’s about how we live. Righteousness is about being in right standing before our God and Father. Righteousness is doing the right thing even when we don’t feel like it. We base way too much on our feelings. The fruit of righteousness has nothing to do with our feelings and everything to do with living the right lifestyle to honor God. Others don’t notice your righteousness by your feelings, but instead by your daily conduct.
Paul explains that the fruit of righteousness is a Spirit led lifestyle. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Gal.5:22-23). Each of these characteristics are character qualities of our Lord Jesus. From love to self-control, some are more difficult to practice, but all of them should be present in the Christian’s life. When Christians exemplify these qualities in their daily lives, they show Christ-likeness and also the fruit of a righteous life. We can’t do it on our own, so we need the Spirit’s help to produce a lifestyle that shows the fruit of righteousness. The fruit of righteousness is not about boasting or being seen by others, but rather about living in a way that pleases and glorifies God.