BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

By: LaRoyce

EPHESIANS 6:14...WITH THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS IN PLACE.

I S A I A H 59: 15-17- Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes prey. The Lord looked, and was displeased that there was no justice. he saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm worked salvation for him. HE PUT ON RIGHTEOUSNESS AS HIS BREASTPLATE, AND THE HELMET OF SALVATION ON HIS HEAD; HE PUT ON THE GARMENTS OF VENGENCE AND WRAPPED HIMSELF IN ZEAL AS IN A CLOAK.
According to what they had done, so will he repay wrath to his enemies and retribution to his foes;...

Righteous- 1. Acting in an upright, moral way. 2. morally right or justifiable.

ROMANS 3:10-12
AS IT IS WRITTEN: "THERE IS NO ONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE;
THERE IS NO ONE WHO UNDERSTANDS,
NO ONE WHO SEEKS GOD.
ALL HAVE TURNED AWAY,
THEY HAVE TOGETHER BECOME WORTHLESS;
THERE IS NO ONE WHO DOES GOOD,
NOT EVEN ONE."

Paul speaks of Psalm 14:1-3 in this verse. This verse explains to us, that no one is innocent( justified) in the eyes of God. We are all imperfect...born into a world of sin (born with sin).... And though the blood of Jesus purifies us of our iniquities, we must be Born again (John 3:7) as was said by Jesus. Starting anew has significance in that you are completely changed from the old ways to the new. Those who are righteous represent innocence and justification because they are like new born babies steeped in the ignorance of all unholy and immoral things...only knowing what is moral and right. We must seek out all of our iniquities in order to expose them to the light, that all things be confessed to our Lord. Only when we wash the slate completely clean can we run the righteous, victorious race intended for us to run.

UPRIGHT- 3. RIGHTEOUS, HONEST, OR JUST.

MORAL- 1. OF OR CONCERNED WITH THE PRINCIPLES OF RIGHT OR WRONG CONDUCT.

JUST- 7. GUIDED BY REASON AND FAIRNESS 8. PROPER 9. LAWFUL:

These definitions break down righteousness into its consice meaning. Upright, moral, just, are the main attributes of a righteous person. Going back to Psalm 14:1-3 we see why the verse says what it says. Righteousness goes beyond our natural attitudes as human beings. Many of us harbor anger and resentment towards others in our immediate future, and our past....others will do whatever they can to get something they want(even lie)...and most of us have a hard enough time keeping the ten commandments (Exodus 20:1-17).

So how do we become Righteous ???

PROVERBS 21:29
A wicked man puts up a bold front,
but an upright man gives thought to his ways.

So it isn't so hard...An upright man gives thought to his ways.

PSALM 33:1
SING JOYFULLY TO THE LORD, YOU RIGHTEOUS;
IT IS FITTING FOR THE UPRIGHT TO PRAISE HIM.

It is fitting for the upright to praise Him.

What we learn from these verses is that the focus of the righteous person is on the Lord. we also learn that the uright person gives thought to all of their ways. Basically, we are to look upon the Lord as our source of guidence and inspiration. To compare our actions and thoughts too that of our Lord Jesus Christ, helps us to see where we fall short of serving Him, and what attitude adjustments we need, to become more righteous individuals.

Most individuals have a general idea of what is right and wrong...they know what appropriate and innapropriate behavior is. The 21st century is an interesting time in that there is a very broad definition of what is right and wrong. Many people no longer adhere to biblical standards of morality becuase the lifestyles they live condradict everything the bible says about what is right and wrong.

As Christians we look not only upon the law of Moses (Exodus 20:1-17) as a standard for living but we also look towards the broad definition of the sinful nature, which is in Galatians 5:16-21, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, as well as many other areas of the bible. From the beginning, God has been giving us very specific instructions on how to conduct ourselves. These rules were not set forth to stop us from having fun; they were set forth so that we can live moral lives, free from the guilt of sin.

JOHN 14:15
"If you love me, you will obey what I command.

PROVERBS 21:3
To do what is right and just
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

This verse lets us know that God is deeply concerned with our character towards others. Just as God is just and a righteous judge to us, so should Christians act in the same matter because we are children of God.

GALATIANS 5:22-26

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Let us put on righteousness everyday, crucifying the desires, passions, and attitudes of the sinful nature!