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Stand firm, therefore, by fastening the belt of truth around your waist, by putting on the breastplate of righteousness, …
Ephesians 6:10-18 (NET)
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INTRODUCTION
Only the righteous Heaven shall see,
but then who will ever, Abba, walk in the garden again with thee?
We have all fallen short of your glory,
the wickedness of our flesh standing against the fulness of your mercy.
But great news you sent among us,
by the Son of Man you have redeemed us.
Through His righteousness, we shall be,
counted as righteous and among royalty.
ONLY THE RIGHTEOUSNESS
“For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of Heaven.” says the Word of God in Matthew 5: 20 (NIV). Only the righteous therefore shall enter Heaven. But according to the Word of God, only Yeshua Himself is perfect. How then would any of us enter?
In Romans 3: 21-26 (NIV) the good news tells us, “But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
We have all fallen short of God’s glory. We are falling short of His glory even now and will even in the future. It is not according to our righteousness that God treats us, it is according to Yeshua’s. It is His righteousness that we rely on. It is given to all who believe in Yeshua. And His grace will bring it forth in our lives.
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THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
The purpose of the breastplate is to protect vital organs from any deadly and devastating blows of the enemy. In an answer to the question What is the breastplate of righteousness (Ephesians 6:14)?, GotQuestions described the function of the latter as the means of protecting from evil and deception.
"The breastplate of righteousness refers to the righteousness purchased for us by Jesus at the cross (2 Corinthians 5:21). At salvation, a “breastplate” is issued to each repentant sinner. It is specially designed by God to protect our heart and soul from evil and deception." (2)
Our own righteousness is no match for Satan’s attack, they mention further (3). That is why we are told to wear Yeshua’s every day. Our flesh desires many wicked things, and relying on God’s grace alone empowers us to choose the correct door.
CONCLUSION
It is by believing in Yeshua and His finished work on the cross alone that we are counted as righteous. Our righteousness is no match for Satan’s attack. That is why we need to put on the breastplate of righteousness, that is the righteousness of Yeshua. The one and only who was without sin.
Application
Thank you Heavenly Father for your mercy and grace. Thank you for treating us according to Yeshua's righteousness and not ours. Remind us each morning to put on the breastplate of righteousness. Amen!
SOURCES
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Got Questions. What is the breastplate of righteousness (Ephesians 6:14)? Available on the world web https://www.gotquestions.org/breastplate-of-righteousness.html.
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