The Second Piece of Armor: The Breastplate of Righteousness

Transcription

1 The Second Piece of Armor: The Breastplate of Righteousness with the breastplate of righteousness in place Ephesians 6:14b What is a breastplate? The breastplate was a piece of armor that was worn over the chest and abdomen. This protective covering was very crucial to the soldier as it protected his major vital organs from attack. The heart, the lungs, the liver if any of these organs were penetrated with a sword or arrow, it would probably prove to be deadly. Furthermore, a soldier would feel quite vulnerable without his breastplate. This lack of armor would have had a psychological effect on him. He would not fight with the same courage or fervor. It would be constantly pressing on his mind that he was missing this very important piece of protection. His fighting would become more defensive than offensive in nature. How does a person get righteousness? Simply put, righteousness is being right before God. That s an easy definition, but it poses a question that is very difficult for many: How do I become right before God? Many people claim to know the answer. Countless religions and cults have been started with the goal of answering the question. Almost all of them say that we obtain righteousness or rightness before God by doing good things. This answer seems to make sense. Bad things are bad; good things are good. If a person wants to have a good standing before God then they should do good things. However, this poses a new question: How good is good enough? After God led the Israelites out of Egypt, He gave them a lot of rules and regulations to follow (ex. do not bear false witness, do not covet, do not have any gods besides God Himself ). These rules made up what is called the Law. God told the people of Israel, Keep my decrees and laws, for the man who obeys them will live by them. I am the LORD (Leviticus 18:5). If a person kept all of the Law, then he would be righteous before God. So, how good is good enough? The answer is easy: absolute perfection is good enough. But no one was absolutely perfect. No one could keep the whole law! David, the king of Israel, writes in Psalm 14, The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one. In Psalm 143, David writes, Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you.

2 If no one could keep the Law, then why did God give it? Why did He set a standard for righteousness that no one could meet? Paul gives us the answer to that question in the book of Romans. Paul writes, Therefore no one will be declared righteous in His sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. The Law was given so that we would know what sin is. The Law was given to show us how inadequate we are. So if we can t get righteousness through the Law, how do we get righteousness? The first part of the answer lies in the first book of the Bible. In Genesis 15, the author writes, Abram believed the LORD, and He credited it to him as righteousness. Abram was credited with righteousness simply because he believed the promise that God had made to him. Likewise, we are credited with righteousness by believing the promise that God has made to us. And what is that promise? While it is given in many places throughout the Bible, one place where the promise is clearly stated is John 3:16: For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. We are credited with righteousness when we put our faith in Jesus Christ. God is able to give us this righteousness and yet remain just because Jesus paid the penalty for our sins on the cross. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. God made the promise, and He made the promise possible by dying on the cross. Now, all we must do is believe, and this belief is credited to us as righteousness, as rightness before God. This faith in Jesus ushers us into the new life. How is righteousness like a breastplate? Righteousness is like a breastplate in that it protects the heart, giving confidence in battle. Guilt is one of the weapons that Satan uses. If he can make a believer feel guilty over sin that has already been forgiven, then he has effectively weakened the strength of that believer. However, the breastplate of righteousness is a defense against the weapon of guilt. You, as a Christian, can live your life confidently knowing that you are righteous before God. Think about that. If you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior, then you are completely forgiven of all of your sin. In God s judgment of you, all the righteousness of Jesus has replaced all of your sin!

3 Paul wrote these words to the church in Rome: If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died more than that, who was raised to life is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. If you are a child of God, then God is for you! No matter how many accusations Satan brings against you, remember that God is FOR you! Yes, righteousness is a breastplate, spiritually speaking. It protects your heart from Satan s weapon of guilt. This righteousness will give you the confidence to serve God, knowing that He is for you. So live your life boldly for Jesus! Your sins have been forgiven; you now have complete righteousness because of Christ! Live your life with the protection of that righteousness. Live your life knowing that you stand righteous before a holy God.

4 Answer Sheet Complete & return to: Camp Grace (Bible Lessons) 145 Grace Drive, Fairmont, NC Memorize Romans 8:31-34, say the whole passage to one of your parents, and then have them sign below. Parent s Signature 2. What does the word righteousness mean? 3. What would you say to someone in order to explain to them how they can become righteous? 4. In 30 words or more, write down what a guilt-ridden Christian s life would look like? 5. In 30 words or more, write down what a Christian s life would look like if he was living in the confidence of righteousness. 6. Read Hebrews 10: How does this passage give us confidence in righteousness?

5 7. How will reading the Bible and memorizing Scripture help you live with the breastplate of righteousness in place? 8. How will prayer help you live with the breastplate of righteousness in place? 9. How will going to church help you live with the breastplate of righteousness in place? Name Grade Date: Mailing Address Phone#: City State Zip School