In Romans 5 Paul continues on the theme of the righteousness of God which has been revealed in the gospel of Christ.

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ… ~ Romans 5:1

Consider the expression, peace with God. James tells us that the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace. Now that we are justified in Christ, godliness, or a life of righteous living, grows out of the peace we have received. Paul tells the Ephesians the following.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. ~ Ephesians 2:8-10

In his letters, Paul goes into much detail to explain that righteousness is a gift from God that is imputed to us by believing the gospel and that we are not declared righteous by any human works. There is only one work that we can do that has anything to do with our justification in the sight of God, and that is the work of faith in Jesus!

Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. ~ John 6:28-29

The work of faith, is our standing in the truth of the gospel that we have believed and living according to this faith which has great reward when the Lord comes.

When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. ~ 1 Thessalonians 1:10-12

The righteousness we have received in Christ by faith, is a fruit bearing righteousness that produces godly character and holiness in our lives.

But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered to you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. ~ Romans 6:17-23

The fruit unto holiness comes from yielding ourselves to God, who has imputed his righteousness to us through faith in Jesus. Because we are at peace with God, we can now walk in the Spirit, and conform to the likeness of Christ.

Consider Paul’s words on this matter from his letter to the  Galatians.

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. ~ Galatians 5:1-6

When we live according to the gift of God given to us in Christ Jesus, the fruit of the Spirit produces in us, Christ-like character. 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. ~ Galatians 5:22-25

Living in the Spirit is a reference to our standing before God in and through Christ. Walking in the Spirit is a reference to how we live our lives in our relationships with others. 

Notice that all the fruit of the Spirit mentioned above have to do with the transformation of our character. When our works and service to God come from love, peace, and joy, they glorify God. When they come from a heart of patience, gentleness, goodness, faith,  and humility, they glorify God.

These qualities are the fruit of God’s Spirit in us, and Paul refers to those in whom the fruit of the Spirit are, as spiritual.

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. ~ Galatians 6:1-2

Paul’s teachings on justification by faith should never be thought of as something independent of God’s work to conform us to the image of Christ. The work God has finished for us in Christ, brings us into the work God wants to do in us through Christ!

God never intended for us to be fruitless as believers, but rather he desires that we bear much fruit for his glory, and that fruit grows out of the soil of the gift of righteousness we have received from God and is sown in the peace we have with God through our Lord Jesus Christ!