The whole armour of God (V) Stand having put on the breastplate of righteousness

Scriptures calls Christians saints (i.e. Ephesians 1:1), literally “holy ones.” Once we have responded to His invitation, God sees us as holy, because He sees us in Christ. So  first and foremost then, the Christian does not stand in his  own righteousness, but stands by faith, in the righteousness of Christ (Philippians 3:9). This righteousness was purchased for us at incredible cost, at the cross. And when we respond, it is the Lord Himself who cloths us with His righteousness (Isaiah 60:10). This is sometimes known as positional righteousness, we are justified by faith, declared innocent before the bar of God, and  set free from penalty of sin (Romans 6:23). But here in Ephesians 6:12, we are the ones who are commanded to put on the breastplate of righteousness. I see this as being called to live righteous lives,  called to live up to how God sees us as the righteous of  Christ (1 Corinthians 1:30). We are to walk worthy of this calling (4:1ff),  to  practical righteousness, and to live up to our designation as His holy saints.

It is the Lord who justifies us freely, frees us from the penalty of sin, but then calls us to work out our sanctification with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12, 13). This sanctification is about working out with all our might, our deliverance from the power and pollution of sin. Some , knowing that justification is a free gift, ignore this command. They see correctly, that there is nothing we can do to earn the justification aspect of salvation (Ephesians 2:8,9), but then in presumption live unchanged lives. But Scripture knows nothing of a salvation that leaves us unchanged, for faith without works is dead (James 2:26). To fail to respond to the tender mercies of Christ with anything less than presenting our bodies as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1), is to make a mockery of Christ's sacrifice. And Scripture tells to not to deceived that God in this way, for God cannot be mocked (Galatians 6:7).

I have talked much in these blogs about how this verse continues, about how bad choices, have bad consequences. But it's so much more. First of all God will discipline us at times, and that's no fun (Hebrews 12:6, 11). But secondly, and main point of this post, is that unrighteousness is a significant chink in our armour that lets the enemy in. In particular, if an unclean spirit is cast out of a man, and comes back later to find the house swept and clean but empty, he goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and live there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. In fact this is how it is with any such a generation (Matthew 12:43-45). Related to this is Paul's command to hand one person over to Satan for a season, for the destruction of the sinful nature, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord (1 Corinthians 5:5).

Father, I cannot imagine how difficult it must have been for the man Paul was talking about. Thank You Lord that it seems to have worked, for Paul later commands the Corinthians to welcome him back into fellowship (2 Corinthians 2:7). Concerning discipline Lord we really don't want that, because even though You are merciful, You are a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29). Teach us Lord live in righteousness the fear of the Lord, in Jesus Name Amen