Righteousness in Peace

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The expression “fruit of righteousness” (or “fruits of righteousness”) occurs three times in the New Testament. In Philippians 1:1111Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:11), it is connected with our approval of “things that are excellent,” by which we will be filled with the “fruits of righteousness” until we are manifested in glory in the day of Christ. In Hebrews 12:1111Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. (Hebrews 12:11) it is connected with our conduct toward God, in the accepting of chastisement and profiting by it. In James, however, it is connected with our conduct toward others, and thus peace is brought into it; “the fruit of righteousness in peace is sown for them that make peace” (James 3:1818And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. (James 3:18) JND).
The Cost to Make Peace
It is not easy, in a world characterized by sin, to bring righteousness and peace together. Our blessed Savior did it at the cross, for it was only then that it could be said, “Righteousness and peace have kissed each other” (Psa. 85:1010Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. (Psalm 85:10)). But making this peace cost our Lord and Savior His life and the untold sufferings in the three hours of darkness. Now we enjoy peace with God as to our sins, for “His dear Son” has “made peace through the blood of His cross” (Col. 1:13,2013Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: (Colossians 1:13)
20And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. (Colossians 1:20)), in order that grace might “reign through righteousness unto eternal life” (Rom. 5:2121That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 5:21)).
It is wonderful to enjoy this peace within, which every true believer is entitled to enjoy. But concerning this world, our Lord Himself could say, “Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division” (Luke 12:5151Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: (Luke 12:51)). We live in an unrighteous world, and as such, there can never be real peace until our blessed Master has His rightful place. This world rejected the Prince of peace, and instead chose a man who combined in his character almost every violent sin — murder, insurrection, sedition and robbery. It is not surprising that neither righteousness nor peace has characterized this world ever since. Peace on this earth, with righteousness, will come only with judgment, for “when Thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness” (Isa. 26:99With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. (Isaiah 26:9)). At that same time, in the millennium, we read that “the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever” (Isa. 32:1717And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. (Isaiah 32:17)). Righteousness and peace will both be seen in that day. What about now?
Righteousness With Grace
The division to which our Lord referred in Luke 12:5151Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: (Luke 12:51) is the division between believers and unbelievers—between those who accept the Lord Jesus and those who reject Him. There can be no real fellowship between the two groups, for “what communion hath light with darkness?” (2 Cor. 6:1414Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14)). As we have pointed out, the world is characterized by a lack of righteousness and a lack of peace as well. But this brings us to believers, who, having a new life in Christ, should exhibit both righteousness and peace. This is not always easy to achieve! Surely a believer should always be righteous in his dealings, but an overemphasis on righteousness without grace can falsify our Christianity and bring in self. As another has said, “Righteousness, specially when connected with character and honor, is rigid and repulsive, because it is afraid of itself and for itself.” In order to have righteousness with peace, grace must be brought in. Again, to quote the same author, “Grace which dwells in perfect righteousness, being above the thought of self, because it is divine in its nature and being secure in perfect righteousness within, is gracious in tone without, can think for others. Such was Christ.”
It is this grace, active in the heart of a believer, which enables righteousness to exist with peace, and when this is so, as we have in James 3:1818And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. (James 3:18), “the fruit of righteousness in peace is sown for them that make peace.” It is grace that has made peace for us, in Christ, on Calvary’s cross; it is this same grace that, operative in believers, makes peace among them, yet maintains righteousness. Self is not brought in, for grace thinks for others, not for self. Righteousness is there, for the grace of God has been displayed in perfect righteousness, but it is not righteousness reigning; rather, “grace reigns through righteousness,” as we have seen (Rom. 5:2121That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 5:21)). The grace of God, while fully maintaining righteousness, does so in a way that refers all to Christ, rather than to self.
The Fruit Appears
However, we notice that the “fruit of righteousness in peace” is “sown”; that is, the fruit may not immediately appear. In natural things, a great deal of time may elapse between sowing and reaping. In the case of the Lord Jesus, despite His display of unparalleled grace to man, He was rejected. The fruit of that grace came later, and it has yet to be fully displayed, for it is still in the future that He will “see of the travail of His soul” and “shall be satisfied” (Isa. 53:1111He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. (Isaiah 53:11)). So it often is for believers. There are those who make peace, acting in both righteousness and peace, yet find that the fruit that ought to be seen does not immediately appear. Just as unregenerate man rejected truth, grace and love in the Lord Jesus, so a believer, if the flesh is active, may do the same thing. Envy and strife, along with other personal feelings, may be operative in the objects of those who make peace and prevent “the fruit of righteousness in peace” from ripening as it should.
This is potentially discouraging, yet let us remember that we are not to be “weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Gal. 6:99And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Galatians 6:9)). If God has graciously sown the seed for us, we may depend on Him to bring it to fruition. Indeed, the use of the word “fruit” in the verse implies that the blessed result of making peace will appear. Sometimes it may appear right away, for which we can be thankful and encouraged. How wonderful it is to see the fruit of righteousness in peace displayed among the saints of God! But if the fruit is delayed, let us rest in the fact that, if we act with righteousness in peace, through grace, the seed has been sown, and the fruit will surely arrive.
W. J. Prost