The Armor Of God: The Breastplate Of Righteousness Series

Dr. Bradford Reaves

Crossway Christian Fellowship

Hagerstown, MD

www.mycrossway.org

Watch this sermon at: https://mycrossway.churchcenter.com/episodes/152406

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, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, (Ephesians 6:10–18)

In our continued study of our position in spiritual warfare, we covered the first part of the believer’s armor. The Belt of Truth. It is more than a decorative accessory to our outfit. This foundational piece of armor binds everything else we wear together. Likewise, walking constantly in the light of God’s truth is foundational to our standing against the attacks of the enemy. Without the absolute truth of our Lord Jesus Christ, everything else in our lives and our society will fall apart. Our goal is to satisfy the hunger and longing of those who are seeking the truth.

Now we move into our next piece of armor - The Breastplate of Righteousness. Righteousness is imperative to spiritual warfare, just as the breastplate was the soldier’s primary form of protection against his vital organs. If there are holes in your armor, you are vulnerable to the attacks of the enemy and one of his arrows piercing through.

When I was a police officer, I wore a piece of body armor every day. They were heavy, bulky, and hot, but they provided protection and assurance that a bullet would not hit a vital organ. I was in K9 and my dog and I were often tasked with tracking high-risk and heavily armed fugitives. When that was the case, I donned an extra piece of body armor that would provide even greater protection against higher caliber bullets. The point being: I NEVER went to work without wearing body armor - period.

We live in a day when righteousness is mocked - even condemned in cultural contempt. Which really speaks volumes to the condition of our world. If Satan can strip the believer of his righteousness, then he can wound his heart and conscious. When God’s people turn from His righteousness, the effects are far-reaching. That’s why 2 Chronicles 7:14 “if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

?Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. (Proverbs 14:34)

Unless I understand the Cross, I cannot understand why my commitment to what is right must be precedence over what I prefer you cannot discuss human rights, when we are denying the God-given right to live.

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But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)

Theologically speaking, righteousness comes to the believer in 2 classifications:

1. Imputed Righteousness - The righteousness of Christ given to the believer’s account that enables him to stand before God

In the third chapter of Zechariah, there is a scene in which Joshua the high priest is standing before the angel of the Lord in the temple, and Satan is also standing there to accuse him. Since we are told that Joshua is dressed in filthy clothes, representing his and the people’s sins, Satan must have been pointing to these and declaring forcefully that Joshua was not fit to stand before the Lord in this office. It is a clear case of spiritual warfare. But the angel of God intervenes.

“Take off his filthy clothes,” says the angel. Then, in place of the filthy clothes he had been wearing, the angel gives him new rich garments and a clean turban for his head. Clearly, this symbolizes the righteousness of Christ imputed to him—the clothes were not something Joshua acquired for himself but rather were something given to him—and it is in this righteousness alone that he is enabled to resist Satan’s vile accusations.