Breastplate of Righteousness

God tells us to put on the "Full Armor of God" and part of that armor is "The Breastplate of Righteousness (Ephesians 6:14)." Wearing a breastplate is huge in a fight because it blocks body blows. Without it we will spend most of the fight on defense so that we don't get hurt.

What is the breastplate? The breastplate of Righteousness. We have a huge need in the body of Christ today to realize that we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. We have been made righteous through what Christ has done. We are in right standing with God. This righteousness doesn't come and go based on how we perform as Christians (whether we sin or not in situations), but is based on what Christ already has done. We cannot become more righteous than we are right now, and we cannot be less righteous. Not even when we go to heaven will we be more righteous. The only thing that makes us righteous (in right standing with God) is the blood of Christ. In the Old Testament animals were sacrificed and through their blood the people were temporarily put in right standing with God, but through the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ we have been made righteous now and forever if we accept his blood offering. We become righteous when we accept Christ and will never again gain or lose any righteousness because we are completely righteous right now.

Our defense becomes Jesus and His righteousness. We no longer have to defend in our own strength or works. With the righteousness God has given us protecting us, we can fight the enemy offensively.

In general, The church, the body, has failed to realize this. We think we are miserable sinners saved by grace. Well we WERE sinners and we were saved by grace. Then we became brand new creations and Christ's blood made us righteous and we are saints. The body is not a bunch of sinners no different than anyone else, we are saints and the righteousness of God.

If the church of body of believers tries to fight spiritually without the knowledge of their righteousness, they will be fighting without their breastplate. No wonder the church is steadily trying to maintain their congregation size. Without putting on the breastplate of righteousness we spend most if not all of our time playing defense.

Christ told us to expand His kingdom. Expand means go on offense. Put on the breastplate of righteousness so you can stop using your sword for defense and let your breastplate do the that work. Use your sword to go on offense and expand the kingdom.