Stand therefore, having put on the breastplate of righteousness

The breastplate of course covers the heart, probably the most important organ in the body. Likewise spiritually, the heart is of supreme importance. We are admonished “Above all else, guard your heart, for out of it flow the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23). And in fact in thinking about spiritual warfare, we are to be valiant, courageous warriors, while at the same time being the intimate bride of Christ. Both of these components of our identity are heart issues. There are two aspects of breastplate of righteousness that we will consider this morning.

Firstly then we stand in Christ’s righteousness. At salvation, Jesus took our sin and replaced it with His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). Through the cross He has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light (Colossians 1:12). He is the one who qualified us, we cannot qualify ourselves. So one aspect of putting on the breastplate of righteousness, is to embrace the truth that we are His, and that in Him there is no longer any condemnation (Romans 8: l). The accuser of the brethren would like you to forget this. But the assurance of knowing who we are in Christ, and whose we are in Christ is an essential part of what enables us to stand.

The second aspect of the breastplate of righteousness that we are looking at this morning, concerns our practical righteousness. He calls us saints, literally “holy ones.” We are then admonished over and over to to make our practical righteousness consistent with the legal righteousness described in the paragraph above. When we are walking in unconfessed or unrepented sin, our hearts can do nothing but condemn us. In fact in such a state, we come out from under the umbrella of God’s protection. This is not to put on the breastplate of righteousness!

Father, thank You that there is no condemnation to those of us who are in Christ Jesus. And when the devil reminds us of our past, we need to remind him of his future. Nevertheless You have told us “Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). So I ask You this morning Lord, to search me to see if there be any wicked way within me, and to lead me in Your everlasting ways. In Jesus Name Amen