No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11 (NIV)
The harvest of righteousness is sharing in and showing forth God’s true nature – His peace, joy, confidence, rest, victory, blessing, and strength. It’s living, walking and operating in God’s very best.
Harvest comes after seed time or sowing. God sowed Himself into us. As children of God we are partakers of the Divine Nature – we share in God’s Righteousness.
Now we shouldn’t be just partakers but also participate in the Righteousness of God.
We should live, walk in and exhibit the fruit of God’s Righteousness which we have received in Christ Jesus. This is the harvest of righteousness. It’s the results that come forth from the life of our union and communion with God through Jesus Christ.
Isaiah calls this the work and effects of Righteousness.
Isaiah 32:17-18 (NKJV) The work of righteousness will be peace, And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, In secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.
Many are searching and fighting for peace and security. Well this is a fruit or harvest of righteousness. It’s a result of being and standing right with God which is a free gift through faith in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:11 (NIV) filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
The word discipline in our theme Scripture is actually child training from the Greek. It means instruction, correction, and tutorage.
The harvest of righteousness comes when we are disciplined or trained or instructed or corrected or tutored in Righteousness.
It doesn’t come through lectures and threats about sin and condemnation. It doesn’t come from being banged over the head with what we’ve missed or messed up.
The harvest of righteousness like any other kind of harvest is reaped by sowing righteousness. This is done by preaching, teaching, hearing, studying, confessing, meditating on and acting on the Word of Righteousness.
