Putting On the Breastplate of Righteousness Ephesians 6:10-14
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 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 6:10-14
Roman soldier s armor
Belt of Truth
Breastplate of Righteousnessruth
What is righteousness?
What is righteousness? The word means conformity to a known standard.
Three Kinds of Righteousness:
Self-righteousness: Lowering the standards to what you can attain to.
Self-righteousness: Lowering the standards to what you can attain to. (We re wearing a self-made breastplate of filthy rags)
Self-righteousness: Lowering the standards to what you can attain to. (We re wearing a self-made breastplate of filthy rags) all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. Isaiah 64:6
as to righteousness under the law, blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Philippians 3:6-12
Imputed righteousness: We receive credit for meeting all of God s standards perfectly as the life of Jesus is credited to our account.
Imputed righteousness: We receive credit for meeting all of God s standards perfectly as the life of Jesus is credited to our account. (We receive a breastplate of God s righteousness that can t be penetrated by Satan s attacks).
Imputed righteousness: We receive credit for meeting all of God s standards perfectly as the life of Jesus is credited to our account. (We receive a breastplate of God s righteousness that can t be penetrated by Satan s attacks). 17 He put on righteousness as a breastplate Isaiah 59:17
Practical righteousness: We live out the righteousness God has put inside of us and confess our sins when we fail.
Practical righteousness: We live out the righteousness God has put inside of us and confess our sins when we fail. (We put on the breastplate of God s righteousness)
Practical righteousness is right thinking, right feeling, right speaking, and right behavior flowing from a right relationship with God.
Why is it a breastplate?
The breastplate protected the heart and the bowels.
The breastplate protected the heart and the bowels. The heart represented the mind.
The breastplate protected the heart and the bowels. The heart represented the mind. The bowels were associated with emotions.
The breastplate of righteousness helps to protect us from the attacks of Satan on our thinking and our emotions.
How do we put it on?
How do we put it on? By putting on right thoughts, right feelings, right speech and right behavior.
The simplest and most effective way to do this is to put on one thing: love.
The simplest and most effective way to do this is to put on one thing: love. 12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved 14 And above all these put on love Colossians 3:12, 14
The simplest and most effective way to do this is to put on one thing: love. 12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved 14 And above all these put on love Colossians 3:12, 14 37 And he said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 22:37-40
The simplest and most effective way to do this is to put on one thing: love. 12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved 14 And above all these put on love Colossians 3:12, 14 37 And he said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 22:37-40 10 love is the fulfilling of the law. Romans 13:10
8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith Philippians 3:8-9