The Fruit of Righteousness
Today's Verse:
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. ~Proverbs 11:30
I grew up in a family where we had many different kinds of fruit trees in our backyard. We had apricot, apple, fig, lemon, loquat, orange, peach, pear, and plum trees. In later years, my dad also planted a dragon fruit tree. Each tree was distinguished by its fruit. The tree demonstrated its integrity by faithfully producing the fruit that it was expected to grow. Proverbs 11 details for us the character, or fruit, of a righteous man. A righteous man is a man who has attained righteousness through faith alone in the Lord Jesus Christ. However, the proof of our salvation is demonstrated in our life. This morning, we will consider the fruit of the righteous man.
There are the principles of the righteous man.
Every righteous man is marked by character and integrity. "The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them." He walks in the light and not in darkness. He is a man of honesty and truth. He is just and fair in his dealings. He pays his bills early and on time. He strives for a clean credit record. He does not try to buy his way out of trouble. He confronts those whom he has contentions with and does not gossip about them with others. He is a man governed by principle.
There is the pathway of a righteous man.
“The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.” His path is clear and understandable. He does not deviate from the clear instruction of the Word of God. His conscience is clear, thus leading him to have good judgment in his decisions. He engages the counsel of mature, spiritual, and respected men of God to be sure that he is on the right way. He knows that in the multitude of counsellors, there is safety. His pathway is the walk of faith.
There is the preservation of the righteous man.
This man’s good judgment and wisdom is his preservation. "The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness." He is preserved from the mishap of a bad decision. He is preserved from the chastening hand of God because he seeks to do right and not wrong. He does not cut corners to please people. He is extended mercy because he deals a fair hand to everyone, including those who oppose and fight him.
There are the practices of the righteous man.
We see two practices that stand out. The first is that he is a generous giver to those in need, but especially to the work of the Lord. He understands the shovel concept where the more he shovels into God’s work, the more God shovels back to him. The second is the fact that he is a soulwinner. He understands that the winning of a soul to Christ is the highest work that we do. Winning souls is wise. Winning souls pleases God! His fruit is a tree of life. It is fruit that is enduring and eternal. Every tree is known by its fruit. Soulwinning Christians are known by their fruit. They are always after sinners to be saved. His fruit is a tree of life. He is a tree that brings life and gives life.
A righteous life is one that is known by its fruit. Take time today to assess your priorities for this year and to be sure that you are bringing forth fruit that is consistent with a righteous life.
Have an upright God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Genesis 41-42