Young People's Group

PUTTING ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

by Pastor Mitch
June 13, 2004

A Vital Protection For Our Heart

The breastplate of righteousness is the biggest piece of the armour of God. No Roman soldier would ever go into battle without the breastplate. It was a tough and sleeveless piece of armour that covered the soldier’s torso. It was meant to protect the vital organs of the body: the heart, the lungs, and the intestines. Beyond the physical, the heart represented the will and feelings of men. The evil one has always sought to take advantage of our feelings. He will seek to confuse our hearts and pervert our affections. He will tempt us with sinful ways. He will cause our hearts to doubt our salvation. It is against such attacks that a Christian must “put on the breastplate of righteousness” (Ephesians 6:14).

The Imputed Righteousness From The Lord

What does the breastplate of righteousness signify? The first aspect is that it represents our positional righteousness that God has given to us.

“… and be found in him, not having my own righteousness which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith…” 
Philippians 3:9

This is the righteousness that has been imputed to us when we are saved through faith in Christ. We have been declared righteous by God. We stand before the Lord as people who are washed and cleansed by the blood of the Lamb.

“And therefore ‘it was accounted to him for righteousness.’ Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead…”
Romans 4:22-24

Even as Abraham was accounted righteous through faith, we will also be considered righteous when we truly believe in God who raised up the Lord Jesus. The evil one will always seek to cause us to doubt our salvation. However, the breastplate of righteousness signifies that, positionally, we have been declared righteous before God.

A Life Characterised By Righteousness

The second aspect is that it represents the life of righteousness that we must cultivate.

“… and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” 
Ephesians 4:23-24

We are to seek the renewing of our minds that will reflect the image of God in our lives. We are to put on the “new man” in true righteousness. When we live a life of righteousness, we would not need to fear the accusations of men. The evil one is known as the accuser of the brethren.

“… the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before God day and night…” 
Revelation 12:10

The evil one will always seek to accuse us of not living the life that we were meant to. When we live blameless lives, people may hurl accusations at us, but our integrity will still remain intact. We will be able to stand against any form of attacks from the evil one. May our lives be characterised by personal righteousness. Let’s seek to be upright in all that we do.

Back to Article Listing