Righteousness is imperative to spiritual warfare
Righteousness is represented by the breastplate because the breastplate covers the vital organs of the body, (Thus righteousness protects the soul and the conscience of the Christian.
If Satan can strip the child of God of his sense of righteousness then he can wound his heart and his conscience and if this wound is not healed quickly certain spiritual death will result.
Righteousness comes to the believer in 2 classifications
#1 Imputed = What Christ works for the believer that justifies us and gives us right standing with God, as Abraham believed God and it was imputed to him for righteousness.
#2 Imparted= That which Christ works in and through the believer
The believer must not only believe in righteousness, he must put it on as a breastplate, (It must be a way of life) Only as the believer walks in righteousness is he protected.
Righteousness is the soil or ground in which fearless faith is born and grows.
Isa 54:14 In righteousness shalt thou be established thou shalt be far from oppression for thou shalt not fear and from terror for it shall not come nigh thee.
Righteousness before God is the basis of the authority of the believer.
Only those who understand and receive the gift of righteousness can exercise authority over Satan’s kingdom
Righteousness creates boldness:
Pro 28:1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth, but the righteous are bold as a lion
Righteousness = Right standing with God
Righteousness produces power in prayer:
James 5:16 The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
The righteousness of the believer is a righteousness of faith
It has nothing to do with our works, but with the perfect sinless life of Christ that Is imparted to us through faith.
Self righteousness is no different than the Jews trying to please God by works and sacrifices and offerings.
Self righteousness is as filthy rags in the sight and in the nostrils of God.
Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Self righteousness is a denial of the redemptive work of Christ.
Self righteousness says: I don’t see anything wrong with it. Or I don’t feel any conviction over it. Or I can justify it in my mind.
When you or I become the decider of what is right based upon what we choose, then we have lifted our righteousness above the righteousness of God and make Christ’s life and redemptive work of none effect
(That is to say: We frustrate the grace of God)
Galatians 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
We cannot apply the righteousness of God over our righteousness, to trust in our own righteousness is to reject the righteousness of God.
Romans 5:17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
Only those who are established in righteousness can take their rightful place as spiritual kings in this life.
Many who are saved by faith in Jesus blood, know nothing of the gift and the work of righteousness, therefore they live far below their rights and priveledges.
Romans 5:21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
Grace is the totality of the blessings and provision and power of God that is manifested in behalf of the believer, but this scripture tells us that it is through righteousness that this grace flows to us.
Just as all that is of Satan’s kingdom rules or is manifested through sin producing death.
So all that is of the kingdom of God =(Grace) comes to us through the gift of righteousness and produces eternal life.
Righteousness in the heart produces righteousness in the life
1 John 3:10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
Psalms 106:3 Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times.
*Righteousness is a state of being or spiritual positioning.)
How then does righteousness express itself or manifest itself in the believers life?
Answer: Holiness, holy living is the expression of being established in righteousness.
Righteousness is the Ground that we are established in, and Holy living is the fruit that grows out of that ground
Holy living is living according to the word of God = the word of righteousness
Psalms 119:123 Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.
Psalms 119:144 The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.
Psalms 119:172 My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.
Gods word is the word of righteousness:
Hebrews 5:13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
Gods Word reveals to us how to live the righteous life = the life that flows from righteousness.
Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
