Preface
This is my eighth article submitted for publishing as a member of the Young Writers Program organised by Press Services International. This program helps to provide a ready-source of content for the magazine publication Christian Today Australia. You can read that article here.
Ephesians 6:10-18: The Armour of God
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit,which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Introduction
In this latest article we will share and amplify the power of God’s armour, specifically the breastplate of righteousness, as we continue to work from top to bottom in our metaphorical human wearing of the entire armour of God.
Definition & Significance
The breastplate of righteousness should be considered in conjunction with the shield of faith. Both are defensive and protective of the bearer. However, the breastplate is clearly the inner piece and therefore a second level of defence to block attacks that get past the shield. The breastplate is specifically designed to protect the heart and lungs and, in that way, protecting righteousness is doubly important because it defends everything physical which ensures your spiritual existence – our soul.
Application & Testimony
When we consider the challenges of living in modern society, particularly countries like Australia which have a Judaeo-Christian heritage, some of our cultural values will invariably be entwined in Christian/Biblical values of righteousness, truth and justice. Unfortunately, over the centuries, and this even predates Australia as a 200+ year old nation, truth and righteousness have become eroding values. The growing disparity between worldly righteousness and God’s unchanging righteousness is none too more obvious in the way our society, plus other Western democracies, have embraced positions of “tolerance” and acceptance in the arenas of same-sex marriage, homosexuality and even now gender. If anything, it is ourselves and our minds which have changed in attitude and belief to say concepts and ideas that were once unacceptable are now acceptable. We change. God and His righteousness has not. It is in this paradigm and social context that we, as believers, have a greater challenge in holding firm to God’s truth and righteousness.
If anything, because of the way society is evolving, the clarity and contrast between God’s righteousness and the world’s position makes it both easier and harder. Easier to see light from darkness, but harder in that society demands that we conform to their expectations and laws. The time is no doubt approaching where we Christians may find ourselves a minority again, just like the Early Church, and have to cling to God’s righteousness even unto the point of persecution and death, or at least be less prominent in society.
Just as Israel Folau has tapped into the sentiment – it is better to please God than man. However, the way we do so, and the way we represent Jesus and His love to our neighbours needs to be done with respect and in the context of personal relationship.
Prayer
Dear God,
Help us to better understand the concept of righteousness as the Bible explains it. Firstly, as we focus on you, help us to clear our minds of all distractions so we can concentrate on Your Holiness and who you are to each of us. You alone are our righteousness and Your very being offers us righteousness as something revealed yet also something to be pursued. Help us to appreciate that Your righteousness, as represented by the breastplate, is something we can both pursue and also possess.
As we choose you, to put you first and to see how you are working in and through our lives, may we bring you with us into all aspects of our lives. Just as Jesus is God’s righteousness revealed to us all, when we are reminded to wear the breastplate of righteousness, we are really wearing and bringing Jesus with us.
In all that we do, in all that we are, direct our thoughts so that we will seek Your Kingdom and Your righteousness first. As we seek Your righteousness, we thank you for providing and blessing us to the point of overflowing in grace, love and mercy.
Help us to take Proverbs chapter 11, verses 4 through 6 to heart: Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way aright, but the wicked will fall by his own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, but the unfaithful will be caught by their lust. It is also worth considering that Jesus, as the ultimate manifestation of righteousness, conquered death and makes the Proverbs verse prophetic.
As we pursue Your righteousness, help us in that journey of avoiding the pitfalls of sin and temptation. To seek after Your own heart Father God means we need to daily work out our salvation and heart. Just as Jesus challenged the people around him constantly, our actions are a reflection of our thoughts and intentions that outflow from our hearts and minds.
Help us to consider what you, God, ask of each of us. Remind us of your simple truths, such as how you value our obedience as a sign of how we can demonstrate our love back to you. As we develop and strengthen our obedience, we thank you for helping us in this endeavour. Help us to be fully aware of our character weaknesses so that we can humble ourselves before You and the cross.
Lord, sometimes it is not easy trying to remain on the course of righteousness. You have said that the path is narrow and not easy. To persist and remain true to Your calling is to refine our hearts, minds and character. Remind us that to be righteous is not about ourselves, but really about drawing close to you God.
As we pursue a life of righteousness, which is really Your righteousness, may Your Kingdom come, may your will be done here on earth, just as it is in heaven. Help us to represent and express Your love to one another, and in this way, demonstrate Your righteousness to one another.
May we, as brothers and sisters in Christ, come together under Your Lordship to not just be individuals each wearing separate breastplates of righteousness, but allow the unity of being in a community of faith reinforce the impact and effect of our collective armours of God at work. Indeed, the power of God is amplified when His followers gather to strengthen and encourage one another.
Finally, just as the breastplate of righteousness acts to physically protect our vital organs, Lord may You always protect our hearts from being hardened so that we can always step into and receive Your grace and forgiveness. Combined with the protective nature of the helmet of salvation protecting our minds, God we entrust these parts of the armour of God to work to safeguard our soul.
We pray these things in the righteous name of Jesus.
Amen.
Epitath / Related Song
Jesus, God’s righteousness revealed
The Son of Man, the Son of God
His Kingdom comes
(This Kingdom, Hillsong Worship, Geoff Bullock)
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