Why the BREASTPLATE of Righteousness Is So Vital
Do you feel you’re too sinful to serve God? Do you struggle with a sense of unworthiness that hinders your communion with the Lord (that is, your prayer life)? Do you think you’re too unrighteous to fulfill God’s call on your life? The LORD has provided a piece of spiritual armor to set you FREE and empower you to serve effectively; it’s the breastplate of righteousness (Ephesians 6:14).
This vital piece of armor refers to accepting the gift of righteousness the LORD has provided you in Christ (Romans 5:17) and living out of your new nature — your spirit — because it was born righteous when you accepted the gospel and underwent spiritual regeneration (2 Corinthians 5:21 & Titus 3:5). This is your “new self, which was created to be like God in true righteousness” (Ephesians 4:22-24). As you learn to walk according to this new nature with the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit you’ll naturally walk in practical righteousness. So putting on your breastplate of righteousness is one-and-the-same as walking in the spirit (Galatians 5:16).
Of course, as a human being with a flesh, you’ll inevitably sin; this includes the more common sins like envy, jealousy, rivalry, hatred, gossip, lying, greed or lust. Those who have their “breastplate” on will humbly ’fess up and receive God’s forgiveness when they miss it, which “purifies you from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8-9). Doing this is “keeping with repentance” (Matthew & Luke 3:8). The repentance/forgiveness dynamic is essential to spiritual growth because it ensures God’s grace continually flowing in your life and your ongoing progress. It keeps your spiritual arteries clear of the clog-up of unconfessed sin. *
* Incredibly, there’s this widespread false teaching amongst Evangelicals today which suggests that believers never have to repent of anything, ever. Gee, Christ must have been walking in gross error when he instructed the Ephesian Christians to repent in Revelation 2:5 (sarcasm).
A Roman soldier’s breastplate guarded his heart and other vital organs. Just so, the breastplate of righteousness guards your figurative heart — your mind — and prevents it from being corrupted by things that would eventually destroy you, including oppressive guilt and a destructive sense of unworthiness (Proverbs 4:23).
Endeavor to live out of your new nature, which was “created to be like God in true righteousness.” The Bible calls this “participating in the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4). Cultivate a pliable, humble heart that’s quick & willing to ’fess up if you succumb to the corrupt desires of the old nature. God is faithful to (1) dismiss the sin and (2) “purify you from all unrighteousness.” Guard your heart as the wellspring of life by regularly rooting-out negative, destructive thoughts & desires (Proverbs 4:23).
For important details, this sermon explains what the breastplate of righteousness is, why you need it and how to put it on; it’s easy (all Scripture passages are cited in the video for your convenience):
Related Topics:
Spirituality — How to be Spirit-Controlled Rather than Flesh-Ruled
Spiritual Growth — The Four Stages
Spiritual Growth is Like Climbing a Mountain
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