Ephesians 6:14 -- Be Prepared for 2017

January 15, 2017

Be Prepared for 2017:
Breastplate of Righteousness

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:14-17

What is the purpose of the breastplate in battle?  It is to protect the heart from harm – then from arrows, spears, daggers, and now from bullets, shrapnel, etc. It is a defensive tool against harm from the opponent.

What is the purpose of the spiritual breastplate? It is to protect the heart from harm, too – from spiritual arrows, spears, daggers, bullets, shrapnel.  It, too, is a defensive tool against harm from the Devil, himself.

But where can we find a breastplate of righteousness? What does that even mean? I am so far from being perfect that the thought of defending myself with my own righteousness is, well, impossible. It just can't be done. The only one I know of that is perfect is Jesus Christ. So how does this work?

It is by our faith in God that we become righteous. 

God can't look at sin. 

So when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, righteousness become ours. And true fellowship with God begins. 

"...not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ -- the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith." Philippians 3:9

So the Lord's unselfishness by dying on the cross has provided us with the protection our hearts require -- His righteousness.

Yes, this breastplate protects our vital spiritual organs from the evil one. It's not OUR righteousness but HIS. HE has already won the battle. And HE will protect us now as we fight the day-to-day skirmishes Satan wages against us.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4

Lord, thank you for your provision of protection for us. Without you we would be slaughtered outright. With you we can stand our ground. With you all things are possible. Thank you.