The Breastplate of Righteousness - How are we supposed to be righteous?

The Bible says we are to have on “the breastplate of righteousness” in our armour of God. (Ephesians 6:14).

How are we supposed to be righteous?

The Bible says,

"But we are all as an unclean thing [impure with sin], and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities [sins], like the wind, have taken us away." - Isaiah 64:6 KJV

Jesus made a promise to His people a long time ago, that He would “forgive their iniquity,” and He would “remember their sin no more.” Jeremiah 31:31-34. He did this when He died on the cross for our sins. When we are baptized in His name, we claim His death to wash our sins away. (Acts 22:16).

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission [forgiveness] of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:38 KJV

Jesus died for us so that “they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them…” Jeremiah 31:34.

Because Jesus died for our sins, we can know Him by receiving the gift of His Spirit, the Holy Ghost. When we are baptized in His name Jesus, and filled with His Spirit, we become no longer separated from Him by our sins.

"To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them...." - 2 Corinthians 5:19 KJV [He made peace between us]

"For as by one man's disobedience [Adam] many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one [Christ] shall many be made righteous." - Romans 5:19 KJV

When we receive the gift of the Spirit of Jesus, we receive His righteousness in us. When we walk in His Spirit, we walk in His righteousness.

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh [sin], but after the Spirit." - Romans 8:1 KJV

"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness..." - 1 Peter 2:24 KJV

A breastplate protects our vital organs, including our heart. We need the breastplate of His righteousness to be saved.

Stand Having Your Loins Girt About With Truth

When we take on the whole armour of God, so that we can withstand in the evil day, we are to stand having our loins girt about with truth.

"Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth…" - Ephesians 6:14a KJV

From Thayer’s Greek Lexicon:

“With truth as a girdle, figuratively equivalent to to equip oneself with knowledge of the truth.”

Thayer’s Greek Lexicon defines “loins” as, “the (two) loins, where the Hebrews thought the generative power (semen) resided… hence, καρπός τῆς ὀσφύος, fruit of the loins, offspring, Acts 2:30…”

"Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;" - Acts 2:30 KJV

It is in the area of the loins that a girdle was worn. Hence, to “gird about the loins,” and to “gird up the loins.”

“to gird, gird up, gird about” is a metaphor for “to be prepared.”

"Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;" - Luke 12:35 KJV

"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;" - 1 Peter 1:13 KJV

“— a metaphor derived from the practice of the Orientals, who in order to be unimpeded in their movements were accustomed, when about to start on a journey or engage in any work, to bind their long and flowing garments closely around their bodies and fasten them with a leathern girdle;” Thayer’s

Our loins are to be “girt about with truth.”

One of the definitions of “truth” according to Thayer’s is:

“The truth which is the gospel or which the gospel presents, Galatians 2:5, 14.”

"To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you." - Galatians 2:5 KJV

In conclusion, it appears that to have our loins girt about with truth concerns the new birth of the gospel. (John 3:5, Acts 2:38).

"Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures." - James 1:18 KJV

[“Word” in James 1:18 according to Thayer’s Greek Lexicon: equivalent to κήρυγμα, preaching, with the genitive of the object: λόγος ἀληθείας, 2 Corinthians 6:7; James 1:18; ὁ λόγος τῆς ἀληθείας, Colossians 1:5; Ephesians 1:13; 2 Timothy 2:15;].

If we are going to have part in the spiritual birth of souls, we must be prepared for ourselves and for others with the truth of the gospel.

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." - 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV [See: Galatians 1:6-7]

 

Starting the New Year with the Whole Armour of God

It is a good thing to be sure we have on the whole armour of God as we are starting out this new year!

The following verses are from Ephesians 6:10-20:

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

“Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

“And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

“And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak." - Ephesians 6:10-20 KJV

My Strength is Made Perfect in Weakness

 Jesus spoke to Paul.

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." - 2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV

It is in situations where we are at our weakest, that Jesus works the miraculous. Look at Gideon and the great victory God wrought against the enemy with such a small army. (Judges 7).

Paul happily decided he would boast about his weaknesses, so that the power of Christ could be upon his life.

"Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities [weaknesses], in reproaches [insults], in necessities [hardships], in persecutions, in distresses [troubles that I suffer] for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." - 2 Corinthians 12:10 KJV

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." - 1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." - Philippians 4:13 KJV

"But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you." - Matthew 10:19-20 KJV

"He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: but they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." - Isaiah 40:29-31 KJV

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." - Acts 2:38-39 KJV

Don't Stress - Pray About Everything

Struggling with New Year's resolutions?

Don’t stress. Pray about everything. We are not ‘bothering’ God, when we need help with even small things. God is all powerful, loving and caring about our every situation. Jesus wants our success, and He wants to be part of that success. We can thank Him for that. (2Chronicles 16:9, Zechariah 4:10).

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." - Philippians 4:6 KJV

"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:7 KJV

"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." - John 15:5 KJV

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." - Philippians 4:13 KJV

The New Year - A New Start in Life - Water Baptism in the Name of Jesus!

If you haven't had your sins washed away by the name of Jesus in water baptism, what better time than the new year to get baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins. A new start in the year, a new start in life!

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:38 KJV

 

Today is a good time to consecrate our life to God

What is consecrate?

Consecrate means to make holy or to dedicate to a higher purpose. Something consecrated is dedicated to God and thus sacred. It is one who is set apart, dedicated.

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God [because of all he has done for you], that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, [let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think] that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God [Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect]." - Romans 12:1-2

What more in our life can we do to please him?

What did we not accomplish for Jesus last year that we are more determined to accomplish this year?

What more can we allow God to do through us for His Kingdom?

What old bad habits are still in our life we need to get rid of, and what new good habits should we consider beginning?

Is there jealousy, envy, or covetousness that we need to let go of?

It is a good time to examine ourselves, making sure we have peace with God, and peace with one another.

How about forgiving those that have offended us? If we let go of our hurt feelings, ask Jesus to heal our spirit, and we pray for those that have offended us, our hearts are lifted of the weight of bitterness, and love floods our soul. Our spirit is set free of negativity.

We are here for a purpose.

"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended [I have not achieved it]: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind [the past], and reaching forth unto those things which are before [looking forward to what lies ahead], I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 3:13-14

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." - Philippians 4:13