The Breastplate of Righteousness

The Breastplate of Righteousness

A breastplate was the piece of armor that covered the body from the neck to the thighs.  It consisted of two parts: the front was one solid piece, and the other piece went over the shoulders and had straps that crossed in back, cinching it tight against the body.  The warrior, without his breastplate, was dangerously exposed to the enemy and could easily be killed because his vital organs were left unprotected.  An arrow to the heart or a sword to the bowels would immediately snuff out his life.

Christ’s Righteousness

The Bible tells us that when we become Christians, we are immediately equipped with the righteousness of Christ.  Paul told the Corinthians, “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God---and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30).

As Jesus Christ hung on the cross, two major things happened.  First, He took our sin upon Himself.  The Bible says He became sin for us. All the sins of the world were crucified on that cross with Jesus.  Second, He imparted righteousness to us. So when we give our lives over to Him, and put our trust in Him for eternal life, Christ not only forgives our sin but gives to us His righteousness. We become righteous in Christ.

It is the greatest opportunity anybody has ever had, to get rid of your sin and get the righteousness of Christ imputed (credited) to your account in return. That’s what happened and that is why Paul writes, “and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith” (Philippians 3:9).

When you put on the breastplate of righteousness, that is your armor, and you don’t have to worry about Satan accusing you before the Father because when the Lord looks at you, He sees Christ and His righteousness. Doesn’t that just make you want to praise God?

The Christian’s Righteousness

Too many Christians accept their position in Christ and do little about their practice. They are saved but not practicing their sanctification. That is, they have not become in practice what they are in position. Your position in Christ needs to be reflected in your practice while living in this world.

The breastplate of righteousness is ours; therefore, we should live according to the pattern of the Word of God.  We can stand before the temptations of Satan without yielding if we know we are living righteous lives.  The Bible says we are to put on righteousness.  Ephesians 4:24 says, “That you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” It tells you to begin to live out in practice what you already are in position.

Apart from righteousness, the Christian has no defense against Satan’s accusations. How can I tell others what Christ has done for me when my life isn’t any different from their lives? Your neighbor down the street won’t want Christ because he won’t see in you what you claim to have in Christ. The reason we are losing the war is because too many Christians want to cozy up to the world, live comfortably in the culture, and not really fight the battle against Satan.

Consistent Righteousness

In the flesh it is impossible to be righteous. If we could be, Christ would not have had to die. But it is possible to wear the armor of righteousness consistently. In 2 Corinthians 6:3-10, Paul describes the righteous life of the believer by saying, “Give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; by purity, by knowledge, by long-suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the Word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness.” The Christian wearing the breastplate of righteousness has been changed by the power of God. He is godly in every situation. In times of stress, times of joy and times of sorrow, you can discern that he is different.

If you are not living righteously, you are just another easy target for Satan. You harbor sin so you just can’t seem to get things right with God. You can’t witness because you know your life doesn’t match your words. You can’t be victorious over temptation, for every time you try to do battle, the enemy brings to mind that spot in your life and you feel defeated. It is going into war without your armor. But when you put on the breastplate of righteousness you stand protected, confident that your heart is secure from the evil one.  Dr. Charles Eerdman once said, “One who binds himself about with a determined loyalty to the holy will and law of God is secure against the deadly thrusts of the Tempter.  Knowing you are right with God gives you power in the battle. This will require some self-examination. Righteousness must be something we must decide to live out in our lives every day of the week.

 

Controlled Righteousness

The significance of the breastplate of righteousness is not only what it is, but what it protects. The breastplate basically is worn to protect the heart. It stops an enemy’s arrow from piercing your heart and taking your life. The significance is that the heart represents your emotions and feelings. Every good or painful emotion is felt in the heart, every angry or vengeful thought, and every fearful or joyful thought are felt within the heart.

Instead of walking around trying to be a better Christian, you need to let your heart fall in love with Jesus again. Instead of trying to do better in your Christian walk, you need to learn to love God more. When you learn to love the Lord through His Word, through prayer, through worship, and through interaction and accountability with other Christians, it will change your life. You won’t have to figure out how to change your life and be righteous. You will simply be so in love with the Lord you will want to live to please Him. The old things will begin to fall away, and you will be renewed from the inside out.  Instead of trying to control your life by your own power you will begin to see the love of God controlling you. When you love God you want to live as God wants you to live.

When you put on the breastplate of righteousness, you are dealing with your heart.  Where is your heart today? Too many Christians are more concerned with the pleasures and treasures of this world, rather than setting their hearts on God. But by setting your heart on God, and living out His righteousness, you become powerful and protected in the spiritual war. 

(Taken from David Jeremiah's study guide, Spiritual Warfare)

I need to get ahead on enough posts to cover for the time period I get cataract surgery on both of my eyes, so that is why I am inserting the Spiritual Warfare from David Jeremiah's study guide written in 2002. 

Next will be "The Gospel of Peace"

~Annie~