Body Armor Required

"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,"

Ephesians 6:13-14 (ESV)

So, let's talk about righteousness!  Ephesians give us a clear command to PUT ON our breastplate of righteousness.  But what in the world does that really mean?  How do you put on something you can't see?  And I am most certain that Romans 3:10 says that there are none that are righteous, no not one! So how in the world do we put on righteousness?

I believe the answer is two fold!  Easton's Bible Dictionary defines righteous as justified!  Justification is an opposition to condemnation! Justification does not negate the law, but instead it is the fulfillment of the law.  Justification can not be earned but rather given or decreed!  We must understand, first, that justification is something that we certainly cannot acquire on our own.  Colossians 2:13-15 tells us about the one who has made our justification possible.

Colossians 2:13-15 states, "You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins.  He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.  In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross."  

Christ took away any record of the charges that the enemy was holding against us!  He is our justification!   He is our victory over the enemy!  There is nothing we can do to earn this gift, we can only accept it.  What a priceless gift from one who loves us so much.  So you see, righteousness has been imparted to those who are God's children.  When God looks at us he sees us as holy and blameless.  When God looks at us he sees the righteousness of Christ, his son!

But it doesn't stop there!  You see Paul gives a very firm command when he says, "put on the breastplate of righteousness".  This requires action on our part!  And while our works are not required for our righteousness, they should most certainly be the result of the righteousness that has been imparted upon us!  And this is where our action is required!

When you and I wear the label "Christian" we take on a new identity!  

2 Corinthians 5:19-21 tells us, "For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them.  And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.  So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”  For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ."

Because we have been reconciled back to God, we have become Christ's ambassadors!  And part of that job is to look different, to act different, to tell a different message than what the world is preaching!  Let me assure you dear one, when you wear the label "Christian" you are sending a message!  The question that exists, "is what kind of message are you telling?"  

The world is watching us and if the message that we are sending is in direct opposition to what the Word of God says, then the world is not buying what we are selling!  This is why our personal growth and action is required in this life; and this is why Paul commands us to wear our righteousness!  Not just to receive it but to let it show!  This takes a little work on our part.  You see we have to be very intentional at overcoming our own flesh at times!  Romans 6:14,22 & 7:6, tell us that it is because of this imparted righteousness that we are now free to live a life in the spirit!  We are free to practice righteous living!  

Righteous living starts in the heart!  Luke 6:45 tells us that, "a good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart.  What you say flows from what is in your heart."  and Proverbs 4:23 tells us to  "Guard your heart above all else because it determines the course of your life".  Our heart is the key to unlocking righteous living!  

The breastplate was a a piece of armor that was made to cover the chest in battle, some breastplates also had covering over the back, however many did not.  That is because the only time you need covering on your back is if you turn your back to the enemy.  Never turn your back to the enemy!  Face him head on, but don't go into battle with your heart unprotected!  Because sweet one, his arrows are engaged and aimed straight for your heart.  

So how can we practically wear our breastplate of righteousness?

1) Know God's Word and learn to Speak the Truth!

Deuteronomy 11:18-21 reminds us, "'So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. 19 Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. 20 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, 21 so that as long as the sky remains above the earth, you and your children may flourish in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors."

2) Put off you old way of living and Put on your New LIFE in Christ!

Ephesians 4:21-24, "Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.  Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.  Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy."

You can put off your old life by getting rid of your old way of thinking!!  This verse tells us that we can live our new life in the Spirit if we will simply renew our thoughts and our attitudes!  It is our thought life that controls our hearts and our actions!  We have to get rid of our old way of stinking thinking!

3) Be Intentional!

We cannot expect change if we do not take action!  And we can not sit back idly unaware that we are in need of a transformation and spiritual protection!  The enemy is not sitting back, he knows just where to strike.  If he can penetrate your thoughts and your attitudes he knows he will win the battle.

So watch what you fill your mind with, watch where you go, pay attention to the conversations you choose to engage in, stay connected with your christian brothers and sisters, pray and...

Above all else, GUARD YOUR HEARTS!