Righteousness and PeaceRighteousness and Peace

Pastor Rex Deckard

Calvary Apostolic Church

Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness

and peace have kissed each other.and peace have kissed each other. (Psalms 85:10) (Psalms 85:10)

Peace is Peace is mentioned mentioned

429 times in 429 times in the Bible.the Bible.

We want peace- world peace, We want peace- world peace, national peace, inner peace, national peace, inner peace, peace with our neighbors, peace with our neighbors, peace in our home….peace in our home….

But we don’t always know how to get it……

Peace does not come by appeasing Peace does not come by appeasing evil, as Neville Chamberlain so evil, as Neville Chamberlain so painfully discovered after his painfully discovered after his treaty with Nazi Germany…treaty with Nazi Germany…

Peace does not come Peace does not come by a protest or by a protest or demonstration…..demonstration…..

Peace does not come Peace does not come from deep meditationfrom deep meditation

PeacePeaceThe Old Testament concept of

spiritual peace is represented by the Hebrew root slm and its derivatives, the most familiar being by the noun shalom.

Its basic meaning is "wholeness" or "well-being."

(Genesis 28:20-22; Judges 6:23; 18:6; 1 Kings 2:33.)

Peace can only come from Peace can only come from God……God……

The Law, the Prophets, The Law, the Prophets, and the Writings of the and the Writings of the Old Testament each Old Testament each bear testimony that bear testimony that peace is the gift of God, peace is the gift of God, for God alone can give for God alone can give peace in all its fullness.peace in all its fullness.

Notice…Notice…

To be at peace is to be To be at peace is to be upright (Malachi 2:6), to upright (Malachi 2:6), to be faithful (2 Samuel be faithful (2 Samuel 20:19), to be an upholder 20:19), to be an upholder of the truth (Esther 9:30; of the truth (Esther 9:30; Zech. 8:19), and to Zech. 8:19), and to practice justice (Isaiah practice justice (Isaiah 59:8; Zechariah 8:16). 59:8; Zechariah 8:16).

In the New TestamentIn the New Testament

New Testament The Greek word eirene corresponds to the Hebrew shalom expressing the idea of peace, well-being, restoration, reconciliation with God, and salvation in the fullest sense.

What is Peace?What is Peace?It is associated with receptiveness to

salvation (Matt. 10:13), freedom from distress and fear (John 14:27; 16:33), security (1 Thess. 5:9-10), mercy (Gal. 6:16; 1 Tim. 1:2), joy (Rom. 14:17; 15:13), grace (Phil. 1:2; Rev. 1:4), love (2 Cor. 13:11; Jude 2), life (Rom. 8:6), and righteousness (Rom. 14:17; Heb. 12:11; James. 3:18).

Peace is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22) and forms part of the "whole armor of God" (Eph. 6:11,13), enabling the Christian to withstand the attacks of the forces of evil.

Peace must be accompanied Peace must be accompanied by righteousnessby righteousness

Peace is clearly identified with a righteous life apart from which no one is able to find true peace (Isaiah 32:17; 48:22; 57:1-2).

Peace and righteousness are linked in the Old Testament (Psalms 72:7; 85:10; Isaiah 9:7; 32:17; 48:18; 60:17)

If peace can only be had if If peace can only be had if accompanied by accompanied by

righteousness, then we must righteousness, then we must understand righteousness understand righteousness

before we can obtain peace.before we can obtain peace.

Righteousness is referred to 306

times in Scripture.

We understand righteousness to We understand righteousness to mean "uprightness“.mean "uprightness“.

In biblical usage righteousness is In biblical usage righteousness is rooted in covenants and rooted in covenants and

relationships. relationships.

Righteousness is the Righteousness is the fulfillment of the terms of a fulfillment of the terms of a covenant between God and covenant between God and

humanityhumanity..

In the Old TestamentIn the Old Testament

Israel had entered into a Israel had entered into a covenantal relationship covenantal relationship

to God. Because God had to God. Because God had chosen Israel, the nation chosen Israel, the nation had the responsibility of had the responsibility of fulfilling the terms of the fulfilling the terms of the

covenant.covenant.

As Israel kept the covenant law, the nation was righteous.

Thus righteousness was understood as faithful

adherence to the Law (Lev. 19). God gave provision for

atonement through repentance and appropriate acts of

contrition when the Law was broken.

In the New TestamentIn the New Testament

Righteousness in the New Testament is absolute faith in and commitment to absolute faith in and commitment to Jesus ChristJesus Christ. Our righteousness can only come from Him! (Matthew 3:15; Romans 4:5; 1 Peter 2:24).

The one who in faith gives oneself to the doing of God's will is righteous, doing righteousness, and reckoned righteous by God (James 2:23).

Romans 14:17Romans 14:17

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Kingdom of God

RighteousnessRighteousness

PeacePeace

JoyJoy

And so without righteousness, And so without righteousness, there can be no peace- there can be no peace- on a on a national or a personal levelnational or a personal level

The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills,

by righteousness. (Psalms 72:3)

And And the the work of work of righteousness shall be peacerighteousness shall be peace;; and and the effect of the effect of righteousness quietnessrighteousness quietness and and assurance for ever. And my assurance for ever. And my people shall dwell in a people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places; (Isaiah 32:17) resting places; (Isaiah 32:17)

O that thou hadst hearkened to my

commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy

righteousness as the waves of the sea:

(Isaiah 48:18)

That is why the Bible says of That is why the Bible says of Melchizedek,Melchizedek,

To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all;

first being by interpretation King of

righteousness, and after that also King of Salem,

which is, King of peace; (Hebrews 7:2)

He could not be King He could not be King of Peace until He was of Peace until He was first King of first King of Righteousness!Righteousness!

And Jesus is our High And Jesus is our High Priest after the order of Priest after the order of MelchezidekMelchezidek

He establishes peace by He establishes peace by establishing righteousnessestablishing righteousness

Hebrews 1:8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy Hebrews 1:8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of a sceptre of righteousnessrighteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, Father, The Prince of Peace.The Prince of Peace.

scep•terscep•ter (sep't (sep'tuur),—r),—n.n. 1. 1. a rod or wand borne in the a rod or wand borne in the hand as an emblem of regal hand as an emblem of regal or imperial power. or imperial power. 2. 2. royal or imperial power or royal or imperial power or authority; sovereignty. authority; sovereignty.

The sceptre of the Prince of The sceptre of the Prince of Peace is righteousness!Peace is righteousness!

Jesus was preceded by John the Jesus was preceded by John the Baptist whose entire message Baptist whose entire message

preparing the way for Jesus, was a preparing the way for Jesus, was a message of righteousness and message of righteousness and

repentancerepentance

Malachi 4:2 But unto you that fear my name Malachi 4:2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing

in his wings;in his wings;

5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet 5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day before the coming of the great and dreadful day

of the LORD:of the LORD:

Jesus precedes His miracles by a cleansing in Jesus precedes His miracles by a cleansing in the Templethe Temple

Matthew 21:12 And Jesus went into the Matthew 21:12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,them that sold doves,13 And said unto them, It is written, My 13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.ye have made it a den of thieves.14 And the blind and the lame came to him in 14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.the temple; and he healed them.

And so we make peace not And so we make peace not be endless protests and be endless protests and treaties, but treaties, but by by establishing righteousnessestablishing righteousness

"If I must choose between righteousness and peace, I choose righteousness."

  --  Theodore Roosevelt

"The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him."   --  GK Chesterton

"We make war that we may live in peace."   --  Aristotle

"Let him who desires peace "Let him who desires peace prepare for war."prepare for war."     --  --  Vegetius Vegetius "Peace and justice are two sides of "Peace and justice are two sides of the same coin."the same coin."   --    --  Dwight EisenhowerDwight Eisenhower

"War - an act of violence whose "War - an act of violence whose object is to constrain the enemy."object is to constrain the enemy."   --    --  George WashingtonGeorge Washington

"The purpose of all wars, is "The purpose of all wars, is peace."peace."

    -- -- Augustine Augustine

There is a war within us between There is a war within us between righteousness and unrighteousness- righteousness and unrighteousness- and the prize to the victor is peace!and the prize to the victor is peace!

Romans 7:Romans 7:23 But I see another law in my 23 But I see another law in my members, members, warring against the law of my warring against the law of my

mindmind, and bringing me into captivity to the , and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.law of sin which is in my members.

Romans 7:11 For sin, taking occasion by the Romans 7:11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment 12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.holy, and just, and good.15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, 15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto 16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.the law that it is good.17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.dwelleth in me.18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.but how to perform that which is good I find not.19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.which I would not, that I do.20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.it, but sin that dwelleth in me.21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is 21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.present with me.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.the Spirit.2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.and death.3 For what the law could not do, in that it 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:4 That the righteousness of the law might be 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.but after the Spirit.

5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.the things of the Spirit.6 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.spiritually minded is life and peace.7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.indeed can be.8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.God.9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

When we seek God’s When we seek God’s Kingdom and His Kingdom and His righteousness, we will righteousness, we will discover peace.discover peace.

You have longed for sweet peace,You have longed for sweet peace,and for faith to increase,and for faith to increase,And have earnestly, fervently prayed;And have earnestly, fervently prayed;But you cannot have rest, or be perfectly blest,But you cannot have rest, or be perfectly blest,Until all on the altar is laid.Until all on the altar is laid.

Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid?Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid?Your heart does the Spirit control?Your heart does the Spirit control?You can only be blest,You can only be blest,and have peace and sweet rest,and have peace and sweet rest,As you yield Him your body and soul.As you yield Him your body and soul.

Would you walk with the Lord,Would you walk with the Lord,in the light of His Word,in the light of His Word,And have peace and contentment alway?And have peace and contentment alway?You must do His sweet will, to be free from all ill,You must do His sweet will, to be free from all ill,On the altar your all you must lay.On the altar your all you must lay.

Oh, we never can know Oh, we never can know what the Lord will bestowwhat the Lord will bestowOf the blessings for which we have prayed,Of the blessings for which we have prayed,Till our body and soul He doth fully control,Till our body and soul He doth fully control,And our all on the altar is laid.And our all on the altar is laid.

Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid?Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid?Your heart does the Spirit control?Your heart does the Spirit control?You can only be blest,You can only be blest,and have peace and sweet rest,and have peace and sweet rest,As you yield Him your body and soul. As you yield Him your body and soul.

Who can tell all the love He will send from above,Who can tell all the love He will send from above,And how happy our hearts will be made,And how happy our hearts will be made,Of the fellowship sweet we shall share at His feet,Of the fellowship sweet we shall share at His feet,When our all on the altar is laid.When our all on the altar is laid.

Is your all on the altar of Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid?sacrifice laid?

Your heart does the Spirit Your heart does the Spirit control?control?

You can only be blest,You can only be blest,and have peace and sweet rest,and have peace and sweet rest,

As you yield Him your body As you yield Him your body and soul.and soul.