Clothed in Christ: The Power of Righteousness

 

Summary

In Ephesians 6:14, Paul instructs believers to put on the "breastplate of righteousness" as part of the whole armor of God. This armor is essential for standing against the devil's schemes, as we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces. The breastplate of righteousness is crucial because it protects the heart, conscience, desires, and will—areas where the devil often attacks. The righteousness Paul refers to is not our own moral rectitude or personal integrity, which are insufficient against the devil's cunning. Instead, it is the righteousness provided by God through faith in Jesus Christ.

This righteousness is twofold: imputed and imparted. Imputed righteousness is the righteousness of Christ attributed to us by faith. It is the foundation of our standing before God, as our sins are imputed to Christ, and His perfect obedience is imputed to us. This is the essence of justification by faith, which assures us of our salvation and gives us confidence in spiritual warfare. Imparted righteousness, on the other hand, is the righteousness of Christ being worked in us through the Holy Spirit. It involves the transformation of our character and the growth of Christ-like virtues within us.

The breastplate of righteousness provides a sense of confidence and assurance in our spiritual battle. It reminds us that our standing before God is secure, not because of our own efforts, but because of Christ's finished work. This assurance enables us to stand firm against the devil's attacks, knowing that we are clothed in the righteousness of Christ. As we grow in grace and knowledge, this righteousness is increasingly imparted to us, conforming us to the image of Christ.

Key Takeaways:

- The breastplate of righteousness is essential for protecting the heart, conscience, desires, and will from the devil's attacks. It is not about our own moral integrity but about the righteousness provided by God through faith in Christ. [12:13]

- Imputed righteousness is the foundation of our standing before God. It is the righteousness of Christ attributed to us by faith, assuring us of our salvation and enabling us to stand firm in spiritual warfare. [21:13]

- Imparted righteousness involves the transformation of our character through the Holy Spirit. It is the process of becoming more like Christ, as His righteousness is worked in us. [32:23]

- Confidence in spiritual warfare comes from knowing that we are clothed in the righteousness of Christ. This assurance allows us to stand firm against the devil's schemes, relying on God's strength rather than our own. [36:09]

- The righteousness of God, both imputed and imparted, is the only effective defense against the devil's attacks. It is the solid rock on which we stand, providing assurance and strength in our spiritual journey. [40:20]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:11] - Introduction to the Armor of God
[00:43] - The Battle Against Spiritual Forces
[01:23] - Importance of the Whole Armor
[02:36] - The Foundation of Truth
[03:28] - The Breastplate of Righteousness
[05:07] - Understanding Spiritual Imagery
[06:19] - Righteousness in Different Contexts
[07:19] - The Order of the Armor
[08:53] - The Significance of the Breastplate
[11:55] - Protecting the Heart and Conscience
[14:42] - The Role of Desires and Will
[19:23] - Imputed Righteousness Explained
[32:23] - Imparted Righteousness Explained
[35:03] - The Importance of Righteousness in Battle
[40:20] - Assurance and Confidence in Christ

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Ephesians 6:14
- Philippians 3:8-9

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#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul mean by the "breastplate of righteousness" in Ephesians 6:14, and why is it important for spiritual warfare? [00:11]
2. How does the sermon describe the role of the heart, conscience, desires, and will in our spiritual battles? [12:13]
3. What are the two types of righteousness mentioned in the sermon, and how are they different? [23:14]

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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does imputed righteousness provide a foundation for our standing before God, according to the sermon? [21:13]
2. In what ways does imparted righteousness transform our character, and why is this transformation important in spiritual warfare? [32:23]
3. How does the assurance of being clothed in Christ's righteousness give believers confidence in their spiritual battles? [36:09]

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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you relied on your own moral integrity in a spiritual battle. How did that experience compare to relying on the righteousness of Christ? [19:23]
2. How can you actively seek to grow in the imparted righteousness of Christ in your daily life? What specific steps can you take this week? [32:23]
3. Consider the areas of your heart, conscience, desires, and will. Are there specific areas where you feel vulnerable to the devil's attacks? How can you protect these areas with the breastplate of righteousness? [12:13]
4. How does understanding the concept of imputed righteousness change the way you view your relationship with God? [21:13]
5. In what ways can you remind yourself daily of the assurance and confidence that comes from being clothed in Christ's righteousness? [36:09]
6. Identify a situation where you might face spiritual warfare this week. How can you prepare yourself by putting on the whole armor of God, especially the breastplate of righteousness? [00:43]
7. How can the knowledge of God's righteousness being imputed to you affect your interactions with others, especially in moments of conflict or misunderstanding? [21:13]

Devotional

Day 1: The Armor of Righteousness Protects Our Inner Being
The breastplate of righteousness is a vital piece of the spiritual armor that protects the heart, conscience, desires, and will from the devil's attacks. This protection is not about our own moral integrity but about the righteousness provided by God through faith in Christ. The devil often targets these vulnerable areas, seeking to sow doubt, guilt, and temptation. However, when believers are clothed in God's righteousness, they are shielded from these attacks. This divine righteousness is a gift, not earned by human effort, but received through faith in Jesus Christ. It serves as a constant reminder that our security and strength in spiritual battles come from God, not from our own abilities. [12:13]

Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV): "To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."

Reflection: In what ways can you actively rely on God's righteousness rather than your own efforts when facing spiritual challenges today?


Day 2: Imputed Righteousness: Our Foundation in God
Imputed righteousness is the foundation of our standing before God. It is the righteousness of Christ attributed to us by faith, assuring us of our salvation and enabling us to stand firm in spiritual warfare. This concept of imputed righteousness is central to the doctrine of justification by faith, where our sins are imputed to Christ, and His perfect obedience is imputed to us. This divine exchange assures believers of their salvation and provides confidence in spiritual battles. It is not based on personal merit but on the finished work of Christ, which is the solid ground on which believers stand. [21:13]

2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV): "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

Reflection: How does understanding imputed righteousness change the way you view your relationship with God and your approach to spiritual warfare today?


Day 3: Imparted Righteousness: Transformation Through the Spirit
Imparted righteousness involves the transformation of our character through the Holy Spirit. It is the process of becoming more like Christ, as His righteousness is worked in us. This transformation is an ongoing journey where believers grow in grace and knowledge, conforming to the image of Christ. The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in this process, cultivating Christ-like virtues and enabling believers to live out their faith authentically. As believers yield to the Spirit's work, they experience a deepening of their relationship with God and a greater capacity to reflect His love and righteousness in the world. [32:23]

Philippians 1:9-11 (ESV): "And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."

Reflection: What specific area of your character is the Holy Spirit prompting you to surrender for transformation today?


Day 4: Confidence in Christ's Righteousness
Confidence in spiritual warfare comes from knowing that we are clothed in the righteousness of Christ. This assurance allows us to stand firm against the devil's schemes, relying on God's strength rather than our own. When believers understand that their standing before God is secure because of Christ's finished work, they can face spiritual battles with courage and peace. This confidence is not arrogance but a humble reliance on God's provision and power. It empowers believers to resist temptation, overcome fear, and live victoriously in the face of adversity. [36:09]

Isaiah 54:17 (ESV): "No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper sense of confidence in Christ's righteousness as you face challenges today?


Day 5: The Righteousness of God: Our Defense and Strength
The righteousness of God, both imputed and imparted, is the only effective defense against the devil's attacks. It is the solid rock on which we stand, providing assurance and strength in our spiritual journey. This dual aspect of righteousness—imputed as our legal standing before God and imparted as our ongoing transformation—equips believers to withstand spiritual assaults. It is a comprehensive defense that not only protects but also empowers believers to advance in their faith. By embracing both aspects of God's righteousness, believers find the strength to persevere and the assurance of their ultimate victory in Christ. [40:20]

Psalm 18:2 (ESV): "The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."

Reflection: In what ways can you actively rely on both imputed and imparted righteousness to strengthen your spiritual defenses today?

Quotes



The breastplate in these ancient times as one by soldiers such as the Apostle would have been very familiar with the Roman soldier he may have been very well chained to one on the right hand and on the left when he dictated or wrote all this in any case it was a very familiar picture in the whole of the Roman world at that time. [00:08:57]

The Apostle here when he tells us to put on the breastplate of righteousness is uh concerned about this that in this conflict this wrestling that we are engaged in with the world and the Flesh and the devil there is no part that we must be more careful about as regards protection as this part of ourselves where the feelings and the affections are concerned not only the feelings and the affections but the conscience and not only the conscience but the desires and the will. [00:11:48]

The devil knows that and he is always ready to play on them and to use them to his own nefarious ends and objects and purposes and so they need to be protected very carefully and likewise of course the conscience what a powerful instrument the conscience is one of the greatest difficulties in life for all of us is to live with our conscience we always have to it's there we we can't get rid of it. [00:13:00]

What does he mean here by righteousness I am to protect these parts which I've been describing with righteousness well what can be more important than that we should know exactly what that means and here you will find that there has been a great deal of confusion there are some who say that what is meant here by righteousness is is moral rectitude. [00:15:09]

Integrity is a good thing but Integrity natural integrity and goodness is as nothing when confronted by the Gile and the wilds and the subtlety of the enemy who is standing opposed to us he can bring us into utter condemnation if we rely only Upon Our Own goodness I could do that very easily for him this morning but I don't want to waste your time. [00:18:23]

It is obviously a righteousness which is provided by God himself what is that well that's why I read the third chapter of the epistle to the Philippians at the beginning because the Apostle there puts it very clearly before us listen to him let me read again Philippians 3 beginning at verse 8 he says he's been describing his own natural righteousness. [00:19:28]

This is the thing here's the breastplate of righteousness the righteousness which is of god it's from God made and prepared by God given to us the righteousness which is our of God as its source I want that that's the thing that's the thing I'm concerned about says the Apostle everything else is D and loss not worth talking about useless. [00:21:13]

Imputed righteousness what is it well here you see is the whole Foundation of our standing as Christians let me give you an alternative term justification by faith modern man doesn't know of course he doesn't that's what he needs to know he is what he is because he doesn't know anything about justification by faith I don't expect him to understand it. [00:24:22]

He now begins to work in Me In Me Myself the righteousness of his own son he imparts it to me he gives it to me he makes it if you like a part of me he puts it into me here of course is something that happens of necessity because of the rebirth regeneration the new life there's a new seed of life implanted in me that's the terminology used by John in particular. [00:32:23]

The devil attacks us in many different ways he not merely attacks us from the standpoint of trying to condemn us where justification is involved he tries to attack us as I say in the realm of desire and in the realm of will in the realm of feelings and all these other things and we shall find that the only way to deal with him at that point is to put on the breastplate of righteousness. [00:34:55]

If you enter into this fight with the devil uncertain or hesitant you're already defeated one needs confidence here I stand as it were as a soldier and I know something about the enemy I've examined his dispositions I've discovered something about the powers that He commands and the armaments that he is able to use and they're characterized by subtlety and by power and by strength. [00:36:09]

The joy of the Lord is your strength and it is without the joy of the Lord we are very weak the joy of the Lord is your strength and this is the strength we need and you can only get the joy of the Lord as you appropriate this truth concerning the righteousness of God which is by faith which comes to us through the instrument of Faith but it's God's righteousness which is given to us in this extraordinary manner. [00:37:57]

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Transcript
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