Embracing Our Righteous Identity in Christ
Summary
In Ephesians 6:14, Paul exhorts us to put on the "breastplate of righteousness" as part of the whole armor of God. This armor is essential for withstanding the devil's schemes, and the breastplate of righteousness is crucial because it protects the most sensitive parts of our being—our emotions, conscience, desires, and will. The devil attacks us in these areas, attempting to lead us into sin and away from God's will. The world’s attempts to teach morality without this divine armor are failing, and only by putting on the breastplate of righteousness can we stand firm.
To understand what it means to put on this breastplate, we must first grasp the negative aspect: realizing that our old self is dead, crucified with Christ. We are dead to sin, Satan, and the law, which, due to our sinful state, incites us to sin. In Christ, we have died to the law, and this liberating truth is foundational before we can embrace the positive aspect.
Positively, putting on the breastplate of righteousness involves looking unto Jesus, who is our example. His life of humility, obedience, and endurance against sin and temptation is the model we follow. His righteousness, imputed and imparted to us, is our defense. By considering His life, suffering, and the reasons for His sacrifice, we are strengthened to resist sin and live righteously.
Jesus did not endure the cross merely to save us from hell but to make us good, to transform us into a peculiar people zealous for good works. This transformation is the essence of putting on the breastplate of righteousness. It involves an active realization of our new identity in Christ, living not for ourselves but for Him who died and rose again.
Key Takeaways:
- The breastplate of righteousness is essential for protecting our inner being from the devil's attacks, which target our emotions, conscience, and will. By putting on this armor, we can withstand temptations and accusations that lead us away from God's path. [01:55]
- Realizing that our old self is dead with Christ is crucial. We are no longer under the dominion of sin, Satan, or the law. This liberating truth allows us to embrace our new identity in Christ and live in the freedom He provides. [06:52]
- Looking unto Jesus, our example, is vital for understanding righteousness. His life of humility, obedience, and endurance against sin is the model we follow. By considering His life and sacrifice, we are strengthened to resist sin and live righteously. [12:39]
- Jesus' sacrifice was not only to save us from hell but to transform us into a people zealous for good works. This transformation is the essence of putting on the breastplate of righteousness, living not for ourselves but for Him who died and rose again. [23:32]
- Our new identity in Christ means we are new creations, no longer ordinary but with a new nature. By actively realizing this truth, we put on the breastplate of righteousness, living as children of God, resisting sin, and striving for righteousness. [35:14]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Introduction to the Armor of God
- [01:04] - The Importance of the Breastplate of Righteousness
- [02:11] - The Devil's Attacks on Our Inner Being
- [03:04] - The Failure of Worldly Morality
- [03:39] - Understanding the Breastplate of Righteousness
- [05:14] - Realizing Our Death to Sin and the Law
- [07:34] - The Positive Aspect: Looking Unto Jesus
- [09:09] - Jesus' Humility and Righteousness
- [12:39] - The Temptations and Sufferings of Christ
- [15:06] - The Purpose of Jesus' Sacrifice
- [18:02] - Striving Against Sin
- [22:04] - Why Jesus Endured the Cross
- [24:19] - The Positive Transformation in Christ
- [29:01] - Living as New Creations in Christ
- [35:14] - Our New Identity and Life in Christ
- [39:34] - Conclusion and Final Exhortation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 6:14
- Romans 6:6-7
- Hebrews 12:1-3
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul mean by the "breastplate of righteousness" in Ephesians 6:14, and why is it essential for Christians? [00:13]
2. How does the sermon describe the devil's attacks on our inner being, and what areas are most vulnerable to these attacks? [01:55]
3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of realizing that our old self is dead with Christ? [05:14]
4. How does the sermon illustrate Jesus' life as a model for righteousness, and what aspects of His life are highlighted? [09:09]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the world's attempts at teaching morality are failing without the "breastplate of righteousness"? [03:04]
2. How does the concept of being "dead to sin" change a believer's perspective on temptation and sin according to the sermon? [06:52]
3. What does the sermon imply about the purpose of Jesus' sacrifice beyond saving us from hell, and how does this relate to living a righteous life? [23:32]
4. How does the sermon describe the transformation that occurs when we put on the "breastplate of righteousness," and what does this mean for our identity in Christ? [35:14]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where your emotions or conscience were under attack. How might putting on the "breastplate of righteousness" have helped you withstand that attack? [01:55]
2. Consider your daily routine. How can you actively remind yourself of your new identity in Christ each morning, as suggested in the sermon? [36:07]
3. Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle with sin. How can looking unto Jesus and His example help you resist temptation in that area? [12:39]
4. The sermon emphasizes living not for ourselves but for Him who died and rose again. What is one practical way you can live for Christ this week in your workplace or community? [25:59]
5. Think about a time when you felt discouraged in your spiritual journey. How can the realization of Jesus' endurance and sacrifice inspire you to persevere? [18:28]
6. The sermon mentions being zealous for good works as part of our transformation. What is one good work you feel called to pursue, and how can you take a step towards it this week? [28:19]
7. How can you cultivate a deeper understanding of why Jesus endured the cross, and how might this understanding impact your daily walk with God? [22:04]
Devotional
Day 1: Protecting Our Inner Being with Righteousness
The breastplate of righteousness is a vital piece of the armor of God, designed to protect our inner being from the devil's attacks. These attacks often target our emotions, conscience, and will, attempting to lead us away from God's path. By putting on this armor, we can withstand temptations and accusations that seek to divert us from our spiritual journey. The world’s attempts to teach morality without this divine armor are failing, highlighting the necessity of divine protection. Embracing the breastplate of righteousness allows us to stand firm in our faith and resist the devil's schemes. [01:55]
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: What specific area of your inner life feels most vulnerable to attack right now, and how can you actively seek God's protection in that area today?
Day 2: Embracing Our Death to Sin and the Law
Realizing that our old self is dead with Christ is crucial for living in the freedom He provides. We are no longer under the dominion of sin, Satan, or the law, which once incited us to sin. This liberating truth allows us to embrace our new identity in Christ, free from the chains of our past. By understanding that we have died to the law, we can fully experience the transformative power of Christ's resurrection in our lives. This realization is foundational for living a life that reflects our new nature in Him. [06:52]
Colossians 3:3-4 (ESV): "For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."
Reflection: In what ways do you still feel bound by your old self, and how can you remind yourself of your new identity in Christ today?
Day 3: Looking Unto Jesus as Our Example
Looking unto Jesus is vital for understanding righteousness. His life of humility, obedience, and endurance against sin is the model we follow. By considering His life, suffering, and the reasons for His sacrifice, we are strengthened to resist sin and live righteously. Jesus' example provides us with a clear path to follow, demonstrating how to live a life that honors God. His righteousness, both imputed and imparted to us, serves as our defense against the temptations and trials we face. [12:39]
Hebrews 12:2 (ESV): "Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
Reflection: What specific aspect of Jesus' life can you focus on today to help you resist a particular temptation or challenge you are facing?
Day 4: Transformation Through Jesus' Sacrifice
Jesus' sacrifice was not only to save us from hell but to transform us into a people zealous for good works. This transformation is the essence of putting on the breastplate of righteousness, living not for ourselves but for Him who died and rose again. By embracing this transformation, we become a peculiar people, set apart for God's purposes. This new identity calls us to live lives that reflect His love and righteousness, actively participating in the good works He has prepared for us. [23:32]
Titus 2:14 (ESV): "Who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works."
Reflection: How can you actively participate in the good works God has prepared for you today, reflecting the transformation He has brought about in your life?
Day 5: Living as New Creations in Christ
Our new identity in Christ means we are new creations, no longer ordinary but with a new nature. By actively realizing this truth, we put on the breastplate of righteousness, living as children of God, resisting sin, and striving for righteousness. This new life in Christ calls us to live differently, embracing our identity as His beloved children. As we grow in our understanding of this truth, we are empowered to live lives that reflect His love and righteousness to the world around us. [35:14]
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to live out your identity as a new creation in Christ, demonstrating His love and righteousness to those around you?
Quotes
We continue our study not only of this particular exhortation to put on the breastplate of righteousness but we would remind one another that this is but a part of the whole armor of God which the great Apostle exhorts us and urges upon us to put on in order that we may be unable to withstand the Wilds of the devil. [00:34:21]
The only hope is to put on the breastplate of righteousness. Nothing else can help us. The world is proving that all the efforts of the world to teach morality and to keep people to the Narrow Path are clearly and obviously failing round and about us. This is the only way. [00:54:08]
Realize that the old man is dead. Our old man was crucified with Christ and he was buried with him. Very well, he's gone. The old man is finished with, is dead. Don't try to crucify the old man. You'll never be able to. He was crucified with Christ. Realize that. [01:00:30]
Looking unto Jesus. It comes to this: here are we as Christians in this world confronted by the devil and the principalities and the powers and the rulers of the darkness of this world, the spiritual wickedness in high places, and we can only fight and resist by putting on this breastplate of righteousness. [00:08:13]
Nothing is more profitable than to realize what he endured and that he endured it all for us. That's one of the best ways of approaching this whole question of righteousness. The righteousness comes to us from him, through him. It is he who gives it to us. [00:09:59]
He died that we might be forgiven. He died to make us good. Here's the positive, you see. It follows the negative. We must be forgiven, but we are not merely forgiven that we may go on sinning and be forgiven again and remain where we were. No, no. He died that we might be forgiven. [00:23:54]
He died for us, says the Apostle, that those of us who live now as the result of his death should not henceforth live unto ourselves because if we live unto ourselves, we'll be back in the old life of sin. We are subject to the devil and the principalities of powers. [00:25:55]
The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us what does he teach us? What does Palm Sunday tell you? What does the Temptation in the wilderness tell you? What does the agony in Gethsemane tell you? What does the death upon the cross tell you? [00:26:46]
I am a new man in Christ Jesus. I have a new nature which I hadn't got before. See, this is the positive, and it's as I realize this, I put on the breastplate of righteousness. In other words, I've got to remind myself very positively and actively as to who I am. [00:35:59]
You are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. What a wonderful thing. That's what you and I have got to say to ourselves. I am dead. Who dead? Well, the man I once was, that man in Adam, that sinful creature that was a slave of the devil and in his kingdom. [00:37:12]
This is to be Christian, is to realize this, that your life and mine at this moment are actually hid with Christ in God. Now, that's a solemn fact, and it's as we realize its truth that we've put on the breastplate of righteousness. [00:38:34]
There are no shortcuts in this spiritual Christian life. Don't think there's some magical formula that you can suddenly get into apply. No, no. You've got to look into Jesus. You've got to consider him. You've got to follow him. You've got to work out these things. [00:40:08]
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