The Armor of GodSample

Day 2: The Breastplate of Righteousness

Bible Reading: Ephesians 6:11-14; Romans 3:21-26; 2 Corinthians 5:21

The breastplate of righteousness intimidates the devil. He does not want us to know that we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, because when we understand this truth, it instills confidence and courage within us to overcome every lie he hurls our way!

Romans 3:21-22 NKJV states, “But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference.” The righteousness of God only comes to us through our faith in Jesus Christ. It does not come to us because we do good works, tithe, fast, witness, or forgive someone. The righteousness of God only comes by faith — and even that faith originates with Him!

Romans 3:23-26 NKJV continues, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”

Romans 3:23 NKJV highlights the fact that every believer born on this earth has missed the glory of God, which He wants us all to have. We all have sinned and fallen short of His glory, but God passed over the sins that we previously committed to demonstrate His righteousness.

It was His idea to choose us, cleanse us, and deliver us. It was His idea to live inside of us and make our bodies the temple of the Holy Spirit. Jesus, who is absolutely sinless, was made to be sin to destroy the sin we were born into and to make available to us God’s righteousness through the act of being born again (See 2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV).

Friend, the instant we accepted Jesus as our Savior, we were completely accepted as one of the Beloved, made the righteousness of God in our spirit, and given the breastplate of righteousness as part of our spiritual armor. We put on that breastplate by acknowledging that we are the temple of God. He dwells in us, and we are His righteousness! When the devil sees that breastplate of righteousness, it absolutely intimidates him. You have the Greater One dwelling on the inside of you, and that is good news!

For Your Consideration:

• What about righteousness intimidates the devil? Why does he not want you to know that you are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus?
• Jesus, who knew no sin, became sin so that we could become the righteousness of God in Him. Take a few minutes to journal about what this means to you personally.