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 do not wrestle 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 integrity or personal goodness, 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 credited to us by faith. It is the foundation of our standing before God, as our own righteousness is like filthy rags. Christ's perfect obedience and sacrificial death are credited to us, covering us completely. This is the basis of our 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 that God works within us through the Holy Spirit. It is the process of sanctification, where we grow in grace and become more like Christ. This righteousness is infused into us, transforming our desires and will, enabling us to live a life pleasing to God. Both aspects of righteousness are essential for protecting our spiritual life and standing firm against the enemy.

The breastplate of righteousness gives us 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 allows us to face the devil's accusations and temptations with boldness, knowing that we are clothed in the righteousness of Christ.

Key Takeaways:

- The breastplate of righteousness is essential for spiritual warfare, protecting our heart, conscience, desires, and will from the devil's attacks. It is not our own righteousness but the righteousness of God through faith in Christ that shields us. [12:33]

- Imputed righteousness is the righteousness of Christ credited to us by faith. It is the foundation of our justification, assuring us of our salvation and giving us confidence in spiritual warfare. [21:16]

- Imparted righteousness is the righteousness that God works within us through the Holy Spirit. It transforms our desires and will, enabling us to live a life pleasing to God and grow in grace. [32:07]

- Confidence in our spiritual battle comes from knowing our standing before God is secure because of Christ's finished work. This assurance allows us to face the devil's accusations and temptations with boldness. [35:53]

- Relying on our own righteousness is futile against the devil's cunning. We must depend entirely on the righteousness of God, which is by faith in Jesus Christ, to stand firm in spiritual warfare. [40:18]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:12] - Introduction to the Armor of God
[01:26] - The Importance of Spiritual Armor
[02:40] - The Foundation of Truth
[03:41] - The Breastplate of Righteousness
[05:06] - Understanding Spiritual Imagery
[06:22] - Righteousness in Thessalonians
[07:19] - The Order of Spiritual Armor
[09:03] - The Roman Soldier's Breastplate
[11:23] - The Significance of the Heart and Conscience
[13:03] - The Role of Desires and Will
[15:14] - Misinterpretations of Righteousness
[19:23] - Righteousness Provided by God
[22:47] - Imputed and Imparted Righteousness
[32:07] - The Process of Sanctification
[35:53] - Confidence in Spiritual Warfare
[40:18] - The Only Righteousness That Avails

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

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

---

Observation Questions:

1. What does Paul mean by the "breastplate of righteousness" in Ephesians 6:14, and why is it important for spiritual warfare? [00:12]

2. How does the sermon describe the role of the heart, conscience, desires, and will in spiritual battles? [12:14]

3. According to the sermon, what is the difference between imputed and imparted righteousness? [22:47]

4. How does the sermon explain the insufficiency of personal integrity and moral rectitude in standing against the devil's schemes? [16:48]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. In what ways does the breastplate of righteousness protect a believer's heart, conscience, desires, and will from the devil's attacks? [12:33]

2. How does the concept of imputed righteousness provide a foundation for a believer's confidence in their salvation and spiritual warfare? [21:16]

3. What role does imparted righteousness play in the process of sanctification, and how does it transform a believer's life? [32:07]

4. Why is it crucial for believers to rely on the righteousness of God rather than their own moral integrity when facing spiritual challenges? [40:18]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt spiritually attacked. How might the breastplate of righteousness have provided protection in that situation? [12:33]

2. How can you remind yourself daily of the imputed righteousness of Christ and its significance in your life? What practical steps can you take to reinforce this truth? [21:16]

3. In what areas of your life do you see the need for growth in imparted righteousness? How can you actively participate in the process of sanctification this week? [32:07]

4. Consider a time when you relied on your own integrity to face a challenge. How did that experience compare to relying on God's righteousness? What did you learn from it? [16:48]

5. How can you cultivate a deeper understanding and appreciation of the righteousness of God in your daily spiritual practices, such as prayer and Bible study? [40:18]

6. Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle with desires or will. How can the concept of the breastplate of righteousness help you address these struggles? [14:40]

7. What steps can you take to ensure that your confidence in spiritual battles is rooted in the finished work of Christ rather than your own efforts? [35:53]

Devotional

Day 1: The Armor of Righteousness Shields Our Vulnerabilities
The breastplate of righteousness is a vital component of the spiritual armor that protects believers from the devil's attacks. This armor is not about our own moral integrity or personal goodness, which are insufficient against the devil's cunning. Instead, it is the righteousness provided by God through faith in Jesus Christ that shields us. This divine righteousness guards our heart, conscience, desires, and will—areas where the devil often seeks to attack. By relying on God's righteousness, we can stand firm against spiritual forces and resist the devil's schemes. [12:33]

"For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:4-5, ESV)

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you feel spiritually vulnerable. How can you actively rely on God's righteousness to protect you in this area today?


Day 2: Imputed Righteousness: Our Foundation in Christ
Imputed righteousness is the righteousness of Christ credited to us by faith. It is the foundation of our justification, assuring us of our salvation and giving us confidence in spiritual warfare. Our own righteousness is like filthy rags, but Christ's perfect obedience and sacrificial death are credited to us, covering us completely. This assurance allows us to face the devil's accusations and temptations with boldness, knowing that we are clothed in the righteousness of Christ. [21:16]

"For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it." (Romans 3:20-21, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a recent situation where you felt accused or condemned. How can the truth of imputed righteousness change your perspective and response in similar situations?


Day 3: Imparted Righteousness: Transformation Through the Spirit
Imparted righteousness is the righteousness that God works within us through the Holy Spirit. It is the process of sanctification, where we grow in grace and become more like Christ. This righteousness is infused into us, transforming our desires and will, enabling us to live a life pleasing to God. As we grow in this righteousness, we are better equipped to stand firm against the enemy and live out our faith authentically. [32:07]

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)

Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you desire transformation. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to work in you to bring about this change?


Day 4: Confidence in Spiritual Warfare Through Christ's Work
Confidence in our spiritual battle comes from knowing our standing before God is secure because of Christ's finished work. This assurance allows us to face the devil's accusations and temptations with boldness. We are not relying on our own efforts but on the completed work of Christ, which gives us the strength and courage to stand firm in the face of spiritual challenges. [35:53]

"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh." (Hebrews 10:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a current spiritual challenge you are facing. How can the assurance of Christ's finished work give you confidence to confront this challenge today?


Day 5: Dependence on God's Righteousness in Spiritual Warfare
Relying on our own righteousness is futile against the devil's cunning. We must depend entirely on the righteousness of God, which is by faith in Jesus Christ, to stand firm in spiritual warfare. This dependence is not a sign of weakness but a recognition of the strength and sufficiency found in Christ alone. By trusting in God's righteousness, we are equipped to resist the devil and remain steadfast in our faith. [40:18]

"Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." (2 Corinthians 3:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you relied on your own strength in a spiritual battle. How can you shift your focus to depend more fully on God's righteousness in future challenges?

Quotes



Without the power and the strength of the Lord Himself and without this armor that he provides for us and which we've got to put on piece by piece we cannot hope to stand against this enemy that is set against us the devil and all these principalities and powers these emissaries and forces which he commands and which he uses against the Christian people. [00:01:35]

The breastplate in these ancient times as worn by soldiers such as the Apostle would have been very familiar with the Roman salvia 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 the familiar picture in the whole of the Roman world at that time the Roman soldier had on this breastplate and it was something that generally extended from the base of the neck to the upper part of the thighs. [00:08:55]

The Apostle here when he tells us to put on the breastplate of righteousness is concerned about this that in this conflict this wrestling that we are engaged in with the world in the flesh and the devil there is no part that we must be more careful about as we go to 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]

There are some who say that what is meant here by righteousness is moral rectitude you'll find this new wing bible so-called that translates it as integrity that's the view they take of it that we must be sure of our own personal integrity that we must be men of moral rectitude that we must be just and righteous and good people they say you stand no hope at all or any chance in fighting the devil and all his emissaries unless you're an honest person. [00:15:26]

Integrity is a good thing but integrity natural integrity and goodness is as nothing when confronted by the guile and the wiles 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 I could very easily become the devil's advocate if you were tending to be proud of yourself as a Christian. [00:18:24]

What is it well let me suggest to you what seems to me to be the only adequate answer 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 the beginning at verse 8 he says he's been describing his own natural righteousness. [00:19:27]

Imputed righteousness what is it well here you see is the whole datian of our standing as Christians let me give you an alternative term justification by faith mother 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 anything about justification by faith I don't expect him to understand it and you can translate your Bible until you're tired of doing so he still won't understand it he has to be taught it. [00:24:19]

This is imputed righteousness it's all here in this Philippians 3 this is the thing to put on says Paul here you are however good you live a life whatever you are whatever you've done when you come to stand in the presence of God you'll find you're a hopeless sinner utterly condemned oh you say well I'm gonna live a better life I'm gonna turn over a new leaf I'm gonna start reading my Bible and praying and doing good I'm going to make myself a righteous man in the presence of God. [00:25:01]

The righteousness of God by faith it's this you see that because we can never attain unto this righteousness God sent His only Son into this world what for well that he might be able to give us his righteousness that's what it means here he came spotless sinless son of God and he rendered a perfect obedience to God's law obeyed him in every jot and tittle of the law he lived up perfectly a righteous life but more than that he made himself responsible for our sins. [00:27:20]

He imputes not perfect observance of the law to me I haven't kept the law of Christ a skeptic he kept it perfectly and he's righteous before the law God puts to my account imputes to me the righteousness of his own son he clothes me with it he puts it all to my account so that as I stand in the presence of God God doesn't see me he sees the righteousness of his son covering me clothing me completely and absolutely that's the thing I want to get says the Apostle. [00:30:03]

Imparted righteousness and it's very important equally important for us to lay hold on this also what is this well the difference between imputed and impart is that if you stop at imputed righteousness I as it where I'm left where I was before I have no righteousness inherent in me at all and I am but clothed and covered by the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ but you see it doesn't stop at it that's the beginning that's the thing that makes me a Christian. [00:31:56]

The joy of the Lord he 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 in other words it means this you the confidence that we have which arises from the knowledge that we are the children of God and there's nothing else that Lynnae blue men to stand against the devil. [00:37:20]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from May 24, 2017. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?