Righteousness as the Fruit of the Light

Righteousness

(Ephesians 5:9)

Righteousness is the fruit of the light. “For the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth” (Eph 5:9) If we have been given by God’s light, we will bear the fruit of righteousness along with the fruit of goodness.

1. God’s Nature
Bearing the fruit of righteousness does not refer to “justification,” where we are considered righteous through the merit of the blood. Those on whom the light shines are truly changed into righteous people. Of course, humans cannot achieve the level of righteousness that belongs to God on the earth. Furthermore, even if one reaches the highest level of righteousness possible, it is impossible to maintain it perfectly. However, if we do not give up on obeying God’s commandments, we will increasingly come to resemble God’s nature.

2. Obedience and Righteousness
Obedience is following the salvation ministry of God. God’s work of salvation does not end simply because we have been forgiven. Until the Lord comes again, we must overcome the evil one. “Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning” (1Jn 3:7). Those who sin belong to the devil, but those who practice righteousness through obedience are righteous like God, and are participants in the Lord’s work of salvation, who came to destroy the devil.

3. Instruments of Righteousness
The fact that we are used by God confirms that we, who were once used by the devil, have broken away from our past unrighteous ways. “And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God” (Rom 6:13). When we were born again, God’s nature was given to us. However, that nature is constrained by the flesh. Now, let us activate the nature through discipline. Let us offer ourselves as instruments of righteousness to God. Let us strive to resemble God’s nature and devote ourselves to fulfilling His work.

Overseer Sung-Hyun Kim