We have looked at the first piece of the Armor of God--the Belt of Truth, what it is, how to put it on, and what to do if we let it slip. Today, let's take a look at the second piece of armor--the Breastplate of Righteousness, which we are to put "in place" so we can "stand firm" (Ephesians 6:14).
The breastplate covered the body of the Roman soldier from his neck to his thighs. It was used to protect all the vital organs, especially the heart. The Breastplate of Righteousness is meant to protect the heart of the believer, as that believer focuses on the Lord Jesus Christ and His righteousness.
When one gives one's heart to Jesus, immediately God counts the believer as righteous (Galatians 2:16). "Righteousness" is the right standing before God that is the status of the Christian, out of which moral conduct and character emerges. It is not our own righteousness that counts, for "all our righteous acts are like filthy rags"(Isaiah 64:6). No one is good enough to stand before God, yet since "God made Him [Jesus] who had no sin to be sin for us,...in Him we become the righteousness of God" (II Corinthians 5:21). When you become a believer, God sees you through the Cross, cleansed and righteous.
Righteousness is both imputed and imparted. Righteousness is imputed, put on us, by God (Romans 3:22). Righteousness is also imparted, worked in us by Christ, with our cooperation and the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:10-11). True 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.
Satan is called "the accuser of the brethren" (Revelation 12:10), and that is his favorite method of attack on a believer. He will try to bring up the past, to accuse you, but the breastplate of righteousness, along with the Belt of Truth, knowing who you are in Christ and what you have as His child, is your trusty defense. Without them, the enemy could knock you down with one word of condemnation.
Romans 8:1,11 [NIV]
"There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, [God] who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you." [Note: Masculine pronoun changed to specific proper noun and placed in brackets by author, for clarity.]
What this has to do with weight loss: It is a fact that only a small percentage of dieters is able to lose weight and keep it off. That proves we can't do this on our own. Believers, however, have the added, supernatural help of the Holy Spirit within us, to give us the power and strength to walk the weight-loss journey with victory. The question is, will you yield to Him daily?
Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, thank You for showing me the truth about myself--that on my own I could never be good enough to live in Your presence. Thank You for taking my sins to the cross and offering me Your righteous life. Lord, show me any sin I need to confess right now, so that nothing will hinder me from being filled to overflowing with Your Spirit and so the enemy has nothing with which to accuse me. [Take time for confession.] Thank You for forgiving me, clothing me in Your Righteousness, and filling me with Your Spirit. In Jesus' Name. Amen."
Go forth today, armed with the Breastplate of Righteousness.
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