Keep your hearts safe! Put on the breastplate of
righteousness as part of the armor of God
The physical breastplate defends all the vital organs that are
contained in
the thorax. In the same way the breastplate of righteousness
defends everything on which the man’s spiritual existence
depends.
The word righteousness signifies four things. All four of these
are exemplified by the breastplate of
righteousness.
1. The principle of righteousness.
True
righteousness is the character and nature of God. It means to be
right and to be in a right relationship with God. This
righteousness refers to true holiness implanted in the heart. While
we possess this principle, our eternal spiritual lives are
secure.
"For the Lord watches over
the righteous and listens to their prayers." (1Pe 3:12)
Righteousness is a condition that pleases
God.
"When good people pray, the
LORD listens." (Pro 15:29)
My righteous people, however,
will believe and live;
but if any of them turns back, I will not be pleased with them."
(Heb 10:38)
This
condition is provided by the breastplate of
righteousness.
2. The
practice of righteousness.
Righteous
practice is to live a holy life. It is to think right, to speak
right and to do right. A life regulated by the word of God shall
inevitably lead to works of righteousness that will form a fence
against the attacks, reproaches and accusations of the
enemy.
Let no one deceive you, my
children! Whoever does what is right is righteous, just as Christ
is righteous. (1Jo 3:7)
For it is not by hearing the
Law that people are put right with God, but by doing what the Law
commands. (Rom 2:13)
Righteousness is a fruit of the Spirit.
"But the Spirit produces
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
humility and self-control. There is no law against such
things as these." (Gal 5:22-23)
A life
without righteousness is an indication of spiritual
immaturity.
"Anyone who has to drink milk
is still a child, without any
experience in the matter of right and wrong." (Heb 5:13)
The
breastplate of righteousness is not just about being righteous,
but about doing righteous deeds, as the Holy Spirit empowers
you.
3. God’s method of justifying sinners.
God
imputes to us faith and love, and we receive righteousness by
faith.
"Abraham believed God,
and because of his faith God accepted him as righteous." (Rom
4:9)
The words "he was accepted as
righteous" were not written for him alone. (Rom 4:23)
"All who receive God's
abundant grace and are freely put right with him
will rule in life through Christ." (Rom 5:17)
The
breastplate of righteousness can never work independently of the
shield of faith.
4. Justification itself.
God is
just. Justification through the blood of the cross guards against
the
accusations of Satan and is a security from all wrath and
condemnation.
Where there is righteousness, there is no
condemnation.
"There is no condemnation now
for those who live in union with Christ Jesus." (Rom
8:1)
Our righteousness is to be found in Christ.
He is our true Breastplate of righteousness.
"Christ was without sin, but
for our sake God made him share our sin in order that
in union with him we might share the righteousness of God."
(2Co 5:21)
"I no longer have a
righteousness of my own, the kind that is gained by obeying the
Law.
I now have the righteousness that is given through faith in Christ,
the righteousness that comes
from God and is based on faith." (Phi 3:9)
The breastplate of righteousness, just like the rest
of
the armor of God, is Christ himself, our
righteousness.
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