SPIRITUAL WARFARE: The Breastplate of Righteousness

by Cathy Bryant
http://www.CatBryant.com

" Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place... " ~Ephesians 6:14 (NIV)

The breastplate is a defensive weapon that protects the vital organs. Without it in place, the enemy has access to our life, and won't hesitate to attack in the places where we are most vulnerable.

Righteousness protects the follower of Christ. Our basic line of defense against evil is righteousness. Wrong attitudes and actions become chinks in our armor through which Satan can thrust his fiery darts. But what about righteousness? What is it, and how do we obtain it?

WE POSSESS NO RIGHTEOUSNESS OF OUR OWN

Isaiah 64:6 says: " All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags... " Romans 3:10b confirms it: " There is no one righteous, not even one. "

THROUGH CHRIST ALONE

Then how can we have access to this breastplate of righteousness? Only through Christ.

" God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. " ~ 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV)

That, my friends, is the good news in a nutshell. Consider this quote from The Search For Significance by Robert McGee:

" Visualize two ledgers: On one is a list of all your sins; on the other, the righteousness of Christ. Now exchange your ledger for Christ's. This exemplifies justification--transferring our sin to Christ and His righteousness to us. "

The thought gives me chills and brings tears to my eyes: to think that the only sinless man to ever walk this planet became sin so I could become righteousness. How much He loves us!!!

FAITH PLAYS A PART

" What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of Knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. " ~Philippians 3:8-9 (NIV)

" Abram believed the LORD, and He credited it to him as righteousness. " ~ Genesis 15:6 (NIV)

While we can never earn the righteousness of Christ through our own efforts, our faith and trust in the saving power of God is credited to us as righteousness. So our part of the equation? Belief, trust, faith.

* * * * *

Dear Father,

Thank You that You don't send us out to do battle with the enemy without first equipping us. How blessed we are that You made a way for us by allowing the sinless One to exchange His righteousness for our sin. May we never lose sight of Your fathomless and immeasurable love for us. We're so grateful that You take our feeble trust and turn it into a weapon the enemy can't penetrate.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

* * * * *

" Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. " ~Matthew 5:6 (NIV)

Article submitted Thursday, March 11, 2010 & read 335 times.

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