Breastplate of Righteousness

The Breastplate of Righteousness: Standing Firm in God's Armor
As we continue our journey through the Armor of God series, we focus on the second piece of equipment Paul mentions in Ephesians 6: the breastplate of righteousness. At the heart of this study lies the central thesis that the Armor of God equips believers to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

We face a real battle each day between good and evil, truth against deception, right against wrong. The enemy doesn't wait for us to engage - the devil and his army work tirelessly to bring destruction. Their sole purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy that which is good. As believers, we must be ready to stand and fight, equipped with God's complete armor.

What Does the Breastplate of Righteousness Represent?
The breastplate of righteousness serves three critical functions in our spiritual warfare:

1. The Breastplate of Righteousness Marks My Identity
In Paul's time, soldiers were recognized by the armor they wore. Each country forged armor specifically for their warfare tactics and strategies. The breastplate of righteousness is something only believers can claim - we are righteous in Christ.
To understand this righteousness, we must grasp some fundamental truths:

• God is perfect and just (Deuteronomy 32:4)
• Because God is perfectly righteous, sin cannot exist in His presence
• No human is righteous on their own (Romans 3:10)
• All have sinned and fall short of God's glory (Romans 3:23)

Many believe the false idea that doing enough good things will earn them heaven. But a just God demands justice. One sin makes us guilty, regardless of how many good deeds we've done. This is why God sent His Son to take our punishment. Jesus, who knew no sin, became sin for us. Through justification, God forgives our sins and credits us with Christ's righteousness, making us righteous in His sight.

Romans 5:1 tells us, "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." This righteousness isn't earned but is a free gift through faith in Jesus.

2. The Breastplate of Righteousness Protects My Heart
No soldier would enter battle without protecting their heart - one strike to the chest would end it all. Similarly, the breastplate of righteousness covers our most vital place.
As John Stott wrote, "No spiritual protection is greater than a righteous relationship with God." When we're justified by grace through faith in Christ, we stand before God not condemned but accepted. This defends us against an accusing conscience and the slanderous attacks of the enemy.

Romans 8:31 asks, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" When we know our position as righteous sons and daughters, we're protected from the enemy's attacks. The righteousness given through Christ's blood marks us as secure in God's love. Our hearts tend to wander, but we're secure when we know we're children of the living God. Hebrews 8:33-39 assures us that nothing can separate us from God's love - not tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, or sword.

God's righteousness assures us that no matter how much we fail or miss the mark, we're safely secure in the Father's love. We don't need to strive to be accepted. As Jesus said, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. My yoke is easy and my burden is light."

3. The Breastplate of Righteousness Gives Me Courage to Stand
Proverbs 28:1 says, "The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion." When we know our position in Christ and in God's army, we stand with victory because we know we're children of the Father. When our identity is secure in Christ rather than in human relationships, we won't back down from truth to appease others. The breastplate of righteousness gives us boldness to stand against the enemy's attacks.
We don't fight for victory - we fight from victory. Paul begins Ephesians 6:10 saying, "Be strong in the Lord in the strength of his might." We fight from a position of advantage, not on the defensive but on the offensive.

The devil wants us to become afraid and retreat, leaving us exposed. God's armor is forged to face the enemy head-on, not to shield us when we run away. Turning away leaves our hearts vulnerable and our backs unguarded. To retreat from battle is to trade God's victory for a fleeting illusion of safety. The most secure place we can stand is in the center of the Father's will - that's where His covering, strength, and victory are assured.

Life Application
Many of us have felt like underdogs, carrying chips on our shoulders. We strive to prove ourselves, to earn acceptance, to show we're good enough. But this mindset is counter to the gospel.

Jesus took us in our brokenness when the world rejected us and called us His children. You don't have to strive anymore - Christ's righteousness is freely given to you through faith, by grace.
You don't need to:

• Strive to be good enough
• Earn a seat at the table
• Achieve something great to be seen as God's child

God calls you right where you are. He chose you out of darkness and called you into His light. The beauty of God's righteousness is that we couldn't earn it and don't deserve it, yet He freely gives it.

Ask yourself:

• Am I striving to earn God's acceptance rather than receiving it as a gift?
• Do I know my position as a righteous child of God?
• Am I standing firm in God's armor or retreating from spiritual battles?
• Where in my life do I need to stop striving and start resting in Christ's finished work?

This week, practice putting on the breastplate of righteousness daily. When you feel inadequate or under attack, remind yourself of your position in Christ. Stand firm in the knowledge that you are righteous not because of what you've done, but because of what Christ has done for you.