Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place. (Ephesians 6:14 NIV)
Last week we examined the first piece of the armor listed by Paul in Ephesians 6...the belt of truth. This week we will examine the breastplate of righteousness.
I mentioned last week the informative teaching on the armor of God that I found at MercyDrops.org. Here is an excerpt which provides some background information of the breastplate as part of the Roman armor.
"The breastplate was the part of the armor that covered the body from the neck to the waist. It was made of metal plates or chains and a modern day equivalent would be the policeman's bullet proof vest or the army soldier's 'flak jacket'. CAPT Steven A. Bird, a 4th Marine Division Chaplain, describes this important piece of a soldier's equipment in this manner, 'The flak jacket is to protect the internal organs-- heart lungs, kidneys etc. from shrapnel." We are to put on the breastplate of righteousness just as a soldier puts on his flak jacket, as our protection against our spiritual enemy.'"
Also, from that same material is a long definition of righteousness:
"That gracious gift of God to men whereby all who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ are brought into right relationship with God. This righteousness is unattainable by obedience to any law, or by any merit of man's own, or any other condition than that of faith in Christ ... The man who trusts in Christ becomes 'the righteousness of God in Him,' 2Cr 5:21, i.e., becomes in Christ all that God requires a man to be, all that he could never be in himself. Because Abraham accepted the Word of God, making it his own by that act of the mind and spirit which is called faith, and, as the sequel showed, submitting himself to its control, therefore God accepted him as one who fulfilled the whole of His requirements, Rom 4:3. ... 'faith is imputed for righteousness. It is clear that in Rom 4:6,11, 'righteousness reckoned' must be understood in the light of the context, 'faith reckoned for righteousness,' Rom 4:3,5,9,22. 'The faith thus exercised brings the soul into vital union with God in Christ, and inevitably produces righteousness of life, that is, conformity to the will of God.'" (From Notes on Galatians, by Hogg and Vine, pp. 246, 247.)
Note the reference to II Corinthians 5:21. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (NIV)
Also, note the quote from the material above which says, "The man who trusts in Christ becomes 'the righteousness of God in Him, i.e., becomes in Christ all that God requires a man to be, all that he could never be in himself.'"
This is the great exchange. Jesus took our sin, and he gave us his righteousness. Jesus bore the sin of humanity and paid the penalty of sin. Through the blood of Jesus, God gave us the gift of righteousness. God does not look at believers as sinful and weak. Rather, God looks at us through the blood of Jesus and he sees us as righteous before him.
To succeed in spiritual battle, the knowledge of our legal position in Christ is of the utmost importance. We do not battle in our own strength, but with the armor of God and with the weapons provided by God. (See II Corinthians 10:3-5) When believers stand in battle, we do not wage warfare as poor, wretched sinners. We stand in battle with the knowledge that we are clothed with the righteousness of God. It is as if Jesus himself is the one standing in battle.
The Bible contains numerous references to righteousness, but one of my favorite verses related to righteousness is found in Romans 5:17. For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. (NIV)
It was God's intention that Adam and all mankind rule and reign in this life. God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." (Genesis 1:28 NIV)
God gave authority over the earth to Adam. When Adam sinned the curse entered the earth, and Adam handed his authority to Satan, who became the god of the world. (See II Corinthians 4:4) Adam's sin opened the door for death to reign in this life. Through the sin of one man death reigned. Now, through the obedience of one man, Jesus Christ, those who receive the abundance of his grace and the gift of righteousness, are destined to reign in this life.
GOD'S WILL IS FOR YOU TO RULE AND REIGN IN THIS LIFE!!
You are to rule and reign in life through Jesus Christ and his gift of righteousness. Defeat should not be in your vocabulary. Yes, there are battles, struggles, tests, and temptations, however, Paul said, No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (Romans 8:37 NIV)
See yourself clothed in righteousness of Jesus Christ. See yourself standing before the throne of God, not clothed in the filthy rags of sin, but you stand before God clothed with the righteousness of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. See yourself victorious in every battle. In Jesus your destiny is to rule and reign in every battle and situation of life.
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord. (Isaiah 54:17 KJV)
When your righteousness is of God:
Even though victory is assured in Jesus Christ, God expects us to walk free from sin. When Jesus rescued the woman who was caught in adultery, he asked, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" Then Jesus said, "Then, neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin." (See John 8:10-11) Jesus delivered her, and then he expected her to change her lifestyle.
- No weapon formed against you shall prosper.
- You will condemn every tongue that rises up against you in judgment.
- This is your heritage...what belongs to you as a servant of God.
We all struggle with sin at times. However, the same power of God which delivered us from eternal judgment and gave to us the gift of righteousness will help us to walk in the light of that righteousness.
When we fall short of the God's standard of righteousness, we should not allow guilt and condemnation to paralyze our faith. We should immediately follow the counsel of the apostle John. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (I John 1:9 NIV)
God is a good God! Put on the Lord Jesus Christ including his belt of truth and his breastplate of righteousness. Victory is yours in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Wayne L. Williams
wayne@fotwm.org
Wisdom From the Word
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