Friday, July 30, 2020
…righteousness like armor on your chest, … Ephesians 6:14b
The Ultimate Safety Shield – Righteousness
The breastplate was perhaps the most important part of the Roman soldier's armor—it provided protection for the torso, which contains vital organs like the heart, lungs and so on. After all, if a soldier lost a foot or an arm, he could still recover. Without a breastplate, a soldier would be asking for death, as any attack could instantly become fatal. With a sturdy breastplate, the very same attacks become ineffective and useless, as blows bounce off the armor.
What is your most dangerous vulnerability? Our most susceptible area is our heart. The soldier’s breastplate covered the heart. Satan often attacks our hearts - the seat of our emotions, self-worth, and trust. God's righteousness is the breastplate that protects the Christian’s heart. We must focus our hearts on Jesus Christ and his righteousness. We must do all we can to protect that focus. We can do that by living righteously – with integrity, honesty, and diligence. Righteousness keeps the heart from ever being wounded and losing its focus.
Righteousness
= Safety
Being righteous directly affects how safe we are from the enemy. Just like the breastplate the soldier wears protect him from death, being righteous protects us from the certain death that Satan is intending for us. Walking in righteousness means that you actively live a life that has been changed by God.
We must understand that righteousness is
something we are, not something we do.
Righteousness within us affects what we do, but what we do does not make us righteous. Putting on His breastplate of righteousness is not "putting on" our own good works, integrity, or honesty. It is not "putting on" Bible reading and prayer. It is not "putting on" church attendance. We alone cannot make ourselves righteous. It comes to us from the righteousness of God
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we
might become
the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21
the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21
The life we live either fortifies us against Satan’s attacks or makes it easier for him to defeat us. Satan is the accuser, but he cannot accuse the believer who is living a godly life in the power of the Spirit. When Satan attacks the Christian, it is the righteousness of Christ that assures the believer of his salvation. When we are clothed in righteousness, we are impenetrable. Our positional righteousness in Christ, without practical righteousness in the daily life, only gives Satan opportunity to attack us. Be aware and stand guard. Allow Christ to work His life and will in you. Allow His Holy Spirit to give you the power to live above sin. Every day intentionally live in His righteousness so it can protect your heart.
Riches do not profit in
the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. Proverbs 11:4
