Breastplate of Righteousness – The Armor

Ephesians 6:14 NKJV
…having put on the breastplate of righteousness

Paul writes that the Armor of God consists of the breastplate of righteousness. The purpose of a breastplate is to cover part of the body from the shoulders to the waist region.
The breastplate protects such areas as the heart, the lungs, the ribs, the stomach – basically it protects very vital organs of the human body. Therefore a strike to a person’s lungs or heart if he were not wearing a breastplate could cause serious or fatal damage to that person.

The breastplate of righteousness is therefore about being in right standing with God. Righteousness can be defined as being and living according to what is right, correct and good in God’s eyes through Christ.
It does not matter what other people think in regards to various issues. What matters is what God thinks. Therefore are you living according to what God says is right?

Romans 5:19 NKJV
For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.

Adam’s disobedience caused all to become sinners. Jesus’ obedience causes anyone who accepts Him as Lord and Savior to become righteous. Therefore according to Paul, we are not righteous because of our own effort, but we become righteous because of Christ’s obedience when we accept Jesus into our lives.
In Christ, we do not live according to our own version of what is right, but we live according to God’s righteousness or according to God’s view of what is right in life.

Ephesians 4:24 NKJV
and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Therefore to wear the breastplate of righteousness means that you are living a life that is right and holy in God’s eyes. You are not paying attention to what the world says is right, but your focus and obedience is on what God says. Your priorities are on doing what glorifies God because you are a new man; a new creation in Christ. Jesus said we should seek FIRST the kingdom of God and HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS and then other things will be added to us (Matthew 6:33). Therefore if you are to seek anything in your life, it is not to seek fame; it is not to seek money or materials; but it is to FIRST seek God and His righteousness.

Philippians 1:11 NKJV
being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

When you live a righteous life in Christ Jesus, you will find that God is glorified. The purpose of living a righteous life is so that God is praised.

TODAY. Put on the breastplate of righteousness.

 

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