THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS NOT MEAT AND DRINK BUT RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE AND JOY IN THE HOLY GHOST.
ROMANS 14:17
Righteousness from Helps Word Study ~
#1343 dikaiosýnē (from 1349/díkē, "a judicial verdict") – properly, judicial approval (the verdict of approval); in the NT, the approval of God ("divine approval").
1343/dikaiosynē ("divine approval") is the regular NT term used for righteousness ("God's judicial approval"). 1343/dikaiosýnē ("the approval of God") refers to what is deemed right by the Lord (i.e. after His examination, what is approved in His eyes).
God's approval (1343/dikaiosýnē, "righteousness") with the believer begins with receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Doing this changes their status before the Lord – from "condemned" to "divinely-approved."
AND the word ‘’in’ #1722 is ‘en’ (a preposition) – properly, in (inside, within); (figuratively) "in the realm (sphere) of," as in the condition(state) in which something operates from the inside (within).
With that in mind, consider our verse today.
If our life is not right, it cannot hold peace. If it does not hold peace, joy will not be present. When these qualities are absent, we are not operating in the Kingdom of God, nor are we living in the realm of the Holy Spirit.
Where things are right, peace is produced. Where rightness and peace are present, joy follows. These three qualities are worked in us and through us by the leading of the Holy Spirit. So living in the Kingdom of God begins with establishing what is right.
What is right is always defined by God. Prior to our salvation, we were not right in God’s sight. We were loved, yet unable to enjoy the benefits of union with God as Father through His Son, Jesus Christ.
After accepting Jesus, we read in 2 Corinthians 5:17 that we become new creatures: old things have passed away and all things have become new. Verse 21 goes on to tell us that Jesus was made sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. We are now right in the sight of God because Jesus was, and is, right.
Through His righteousness we now have entrance into His Kingdom — a Kingdom of light. In His Kingdom, righteousness — the place of being right and doing right according to God’s standard — brings us into the peace that has been given to us and is meant to govern our lives. Where we walk in paths of righteousness, we hold peace. Where we hold peace in our hearts, joy follows.
The phrase “in the Holy Spirit” frames the entire context of this verse. Righteousness, peace, and joy are the elements that bring us into wholeness — unity with the Father that leads toward oneness — and this always yields rest. To value and honor the way our Father leads and guides us into these paths of righteousness, for His name’s sake, becomes our pathway of blessing.
Just as we are spirit, soul, and body, so the Kingdom operates within these three, bringing them into wholeness. Together they function like a three-stranded cord. When we separate them, the fruit that comes from their unity is no longer as strong or healthy.
Over the next few weeks, I would like us to consider together the many things we are meant to enjoy, experience, and operate in, through the Holy Spirit as we live in the Kingdom of God. These are not distant ideals, but realities the Holy Spirit works within us as we learn to walk in the life of the Kingdom.
Over the next few weeks, I would like us to consider together the many things we are meant to enjoy, experience, and live in through the Holy Spirit as we walk in the Kingdom of God. As we look at these truths, my prayer is that we will not only understand them more clearly, but also learn to recognize them at work within us, allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us more fully into the life of righteousness, peace, and joy that the Father has prepared for His children.