PEACE, THE EFFECT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

ISAIAH 32:1

A. "AND THE WORK OF RIGHTEOUSNESS SHALL BE PEACE; AND THE EFFECT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS QUIETNESS AND ASSURANCE FOR EVER"
  1. Righteousness is the very heart of the plan of redemption:
    1. "Offer the sacrifice of righteousness" - Ps. 4:5; Deut. 33:19
    2. "Do good...build thou the walls of Jerusalem. Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousness" - Ps. 51:17-19
  2. Christ is the Lord our righteousness:
    1. That is what Jeremiah says - Jer. 23:6; and that is what Paul teaches - I Cor. 1:30
    2. Noah was called "a preacher of righteousness" - 2 Pet. 2:5 B. LET US NOTE, PRAYERFULLY
  3. Righteousness:
    1. The meaning of the Bible term righteousness - the quality of being right or just - 1 John 3:7
    2. Said Daniel to Nebuchadnezzar, "break off thy sins by righteousness" - Dan. 4:27
  4. Righteousness was one of the key words of the teaching of Jesus Christ:
    1. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness" - Matt. 6:33
    2. "Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of God" - Matt. 5:20
    3. "Blessed are they which hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled" - Matt. 5:6
  5. The righteousness of man:
    1. "All our righteousness are as filthy rags" - Is. 64:6
    2. Human righteousness is unacceptable to God - Rom. 10:3
  6. Effective righteousness:
    1. Is imputed without the works of the law - Rom. 4:6; 5:17
    2. It comes to us through faith - Rom. 3:22; 4:22 C. PEACE, THE EFFECT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS; "THE EFFECT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS SHALL BE QUIETNESS AND CONFIDENCE FOR EVER"
  7. How true that is:
    1. Daniel was at peace in the lion's den among the lions - Dan. 6:21-22
    2. Stephen had perfect peace of heart while human brutality did it's worst against him - Acts 7:55-56
    3. John Huss smiled and sang a song of praise when he was led to the place of execution
    4. Said Simeon, after he had seen the Hope of Israel, "Lord, now lettest thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word; for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation" - Luke 2:25-32
  8. Note, please the effect of righteousness:
    1. Quietness - not a lot of commotion; Examples: Elijah's experience - 1 Kings 19:11-12; Peter assures us that what counts with God is "a meek and quiet spirit" 1 Pet. 3:4; Paul admonishes us to "lead a quiet and peaceable life" - 1 Tim. 2:2
    2. Confidence - boldness - Acts 28:13; Examples: The three Hebrews facing the fiery furnace - Dan. 3:16-18; David facing Goliath - 1 Sam. 17:26-46
  9. If we take to heart the teaching of the Bible about the effect of righteousness:
    1. We will never be swayed by the doctrine of much excitement and commotion
    2. When the peace of God possesses our hearts; it will bring our emotions under the control of sanctified reason that in turn will give our nervous system rest and peace
    3. That is the peace Christ offers to a troubled world - Matt. 11:28-30; John 14:27
    4. Satan has counterfeited even the effects of our relationship with Christ; and we must be on guard against his deceptions


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