Paul discusses putting on the full Armor of God in Ephesians 6:10-17. These verses are so important because they hold God’s promises for our protection and victory. We have the Shield of Faith which is our first line of defense. We have the Belt of Truth which allows us to walk in our true identity in Christ. We have the Breastplate of Righteousness which protects our hearts and frees us from condemnation. We have the Gospel Shoes of Peace which allows us to walk in peace no matter the difficult circumstances or difficult people in our path. We also have the Sword of the Spirit which empowers us to take down the enemy with the promises found in God’s Word, the Bible, and the promises the Holy Spirit gives us personally.
“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5.21 NIV).
The Breastplate of Righteousness is an amazing exchange and promise. Jesus paid the price for our sins and gave us His righteousness, so we could have right-standing with God. Think of it. Even in our fallen world and sinful state, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, proving that Jesus’ Finished Work on the Cross truly worked! We now have a relationship with God on earth, and when our body dies, that relationship continues into Heaven!
“For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2.6 NLT).
This new life in Christ–planted into our Spirit–can be worked into the other two parts of our tridimensional selves. We are three parts. First, we are Spirit. The Spirit is the part of us that is either separated from God without Jesus or alive in God through Jesus. Second, we are Soul. The Soul has three parts: Mind (thoughts and imaginings), Heart (emotions and feelings) and our Will (decisions and actions). Third, we are Flesh (skin, organs, hormones, etc.). The Spirit has the seed of salvation where the Holy Spirit dwells. However, as Paul writes, the salvation we receive in our Spirit must be worked into our Soul and Flesh.
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2.12-13 NKJV).
Working out our salvation takes time, but we don’t have to fear. God will do it for us as we obey Him, commune with Him and meditate on His Word, the Bible. The tiny seed of salvation will become a great harvest as we daily put on our Breastplates of Righteousness, continually reminding ourselves that because of Jesus, we are no longer guilty. The enemy has no right to accuse us, and he has no authority to condemn us. Anytime the enemy tries to shame our hearts, we can boldly say, “I am the righteousness of God through Jesus Christ! I have on the Breastplate of Righteousness, reflecting the glory of God and protecting my heart from condemning thoughts! I have been saved. The enemy must flee” (James 4.7).
We don’t have to live harassed by the spirit of fear and the spirit of condemnation because we have been given the Spirit of Grace and Life through Jesus Christ. We have been set free from “law” and “death.” Once we repent of our sin, we are forgiven and the slate is made clean. Since we are blameless, we don’t have to carry the weight of our failings because Jesus took them off of our shoulders and buried them in the grave. Then Jesus left our sin in the grave and rose again perfect and holy. Our Spirit is found in Christ because we have His righteousness, so now we can work that righteousness into the entirety of our lives.
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8.1-2 NIV).
Bible verses on our righteousness in Jesus Christ.
- “Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy” (Ephesians 4.24 NLT).
- “The righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3.22-23 ESV).
- “Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone” (Romans 5.18 NLT).
- “And become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith” (Philippians 3.9 NLT).
- “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Timothy 4.8 NIV).
- “Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness” (Romans 6.13 NIV).
- “If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him” (1 John 2.29 NKJV).
- “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3.16-17 NIV).
- “Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him” (Acts 10.34-25 NKJV).
- “Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness” (2 Corinthians 2.9 NIV).
- You can find this podcast here.
Leave a Reply