Equipped for Battle: The Breastplate of Righteousness

 

Summary

In Ephesians 6:14, Paul exhorts believers to put on the "breastplate of righteousness." This call is a reminder that the Christian life is not one of ease but a battle against a formidable adversary—the devil and his forces. The only way to stand firm is to be strong in the Lord and to put on the full armor of God. The breastplate of righteousness is crucial as it protects the heart, the seat of emotions, conscience, and will, from the devil's subtle temptations.

To put on the breastplate of righteousness is akin to putting on the Lord Jesus Christ, walking in the Spirit, and living in the light. It involves both a negative and a positive aspect. Negatively, it means recognizing that the old self is crucified with Christ, and we are no longer under the dominion of sin or the law. Positively, it means looking unto Jesus, understanding His sacrifice, and realizing that He died not just for our forgiveness but to make us good, to create a people zealous for good works.

As Christians, we are no longer slaves to sin but slaves to righteousness. We have a new master, and our lives are not our own. We are bought with a price, and our purpose is to glorify God in our bodies and spirits. This new life is lived under the reign of grace, where God works in us to will and to act according to His good pleasure. We are alive unto God, open to His gracious influences, and empowered by His Spirit.

The Christian fight is not in the oldness of the letter but in the newness of the Spirit. We are not trying to earn our salvation but living out the salvation we have received. Our motivation is love for Christ, who has made us His own. Finally, we have the help of Christ, our great High Priest, who sympathizes with our weaknesses and provides grace to help in times of need. This is how we put on the breastplate of righteousness, standing firm in the evil day.

Key Takeaways:

- The Christian life is a battle against a powerful adversary, and the only way to stand firm is by being strong in the Lord and putting on the full armor of God, including the breastplate of righteousness. This armor protects our hearts and minds from the devil's subtle temptations. [01:47]

- Putting on the breastplate of righteousness involves recognizing that our old self is crucified with Christ, and we are no longer under the dominion of sin or the law. We are new creations, alive unto God, and empowered by His Spirit to live righteously. [05:07]

- As Christians, we are no longer slaves to sin but slaves to righteousness. Our lives are not our own; we are bought with a price and called to glorify God in our bodies and spirits. This new life is lived under the reign of grace, where God works in us to will and to act according to His good pleasure. [11:17]

- The Christian fight is not in the oldness of the letter but in the newness of the Spirit. We are not trying to earn our salvation but living out the salvation we have received. Our motivation is love for Christ, who has made us His own. [32:53]

- We have the help of Christ, our great High Priest, who sympathizes with our weaknesses and provides grace to help in times of need. This is how we put on the breastplate of righteousness, standing firm in the evil day. [40:09]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Ephesians 6:14
- [01:02] - The Christian Life: A Battle
- [01:47] - The Armor of God
- [02:49] - The Breastplate of Righteousness
- [04:16] - Putting on Christ
- [05:07] - New Creations in Christ
- [06:58] - Purpose of Christ's Sacrifice
- [08:20] - Consequences of Christ's Work
- [09:31] - Slaves to Righteousness
- [11:17] - Our New Master
- [14:22] - Bought with a Price
- [20:24] - Alive unto God
- [23:26] - The Reign of Grace
- [32:53] - Newness of the Spirit
- [37:21] - Help from Our High Priest

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Breastplate of Righteousness

Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 6:14
- Romans 6:6-7
- Romans 6:18

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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 Christians to wear it? [02:49]

2. According to the sermon, how does the breastplate of righteousness protect a Christian's heart and mind from the devil's temptations? [03:17]

3. In Romans 6:6-7, what does it mean that our "old self was crucified with Christ," and how does this relate to putting on the breastplate of righteousness? [05:07]

4. How does the concept of being "slaves to righteousness" in Romans 6:18 contrast with our previous state as "slaves to sin"? [11:17]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon describe the relationship between putting on the breastplate of righteousness and living under the reign of grace? [23:26]

2. What does it mean to be "alive unto God," and how does this new life empower Christians to stand firm against spiritual adversaries? [20:24]

3. How does the sermon explain the role of Christ as our High Priest in helping us put on the breastplate of righteousness? [37:21]

4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Christian fight is different from the oldness of the letter and is now in the newness of the Spirit? [32:53]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt spiritually attacked. How might putting on the breastplate of righteousness have helped you stand firm in that situation? [01:47]

2. The sermon emphasizes that we are no longer slaves to sin but slaves to righteousness. How does this change your perspective on daily decisions and actions? [11:17]

3. Consider your current spiritual practices. How can you more intentionally "put on Christ" in your daily life to protect your heart and mind? [04:16]

4. The sermon mentions that we are alive unto God and under the reign of grace. How can you remind yourself of this truth when facing challenges or temptations? [20:24]

5. How can you practically rely on Christ, our High Priest, for strength and grace in times of need? What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Him? [40:09]

6. Think about an area in your life where you feel you are still living under the oldness of the letter. How can you shift to living in the newness of the Spirit in that area? [32:53]

7. Identify a specific way you can glorify God in your body and spirit this week, acknowledging that you are bought with a price. [15:35]

Devotional

Day 1: Standing Firm in Spiritual Battle
The Christian life is a battle against a powerful adversary, and the only way to stand firm is by being strong in the Lord and putting on the full armor of God, including the breastplate of righteousness. This armor protects our hearts and minds from the devil's subtle temptations. The breastplate of righteousness is essential because it guards the heart, which is the seat of emotions, conscience, and will. By putting on this armor, believers are reminded that they are not alone in their struggles; they have divine protection and strength to resist the enemy's attacks. The call to put on the full armor of God is a call to be vigilant and prepared, recognizing that the battle is ongoing and requires constant reliance on God's power. [01:47]

Ephesians 6:13-14 (ESV): "Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness."

Reflection: What specific temptations or challenges are you facing today that require you to rely on God's strength and protection? How can you actively put on the armor of God in these situations?


Day 2: Embracing Our New Identity in Christ
Putting on the breastplate of righteousness involves recognizing that our old self is crucified with Christ, and we are no longer under the dominion of sin or the law. We are new creations, alive unto God, and empowered by His Spirit to live righteously. This transformation is not just a change in behavior but a fundamental change in identity. As believers, we are called to live out this new identity by walking in the Spirit and living in the light. This means rejecting the old ways of sin and embracing the new life that Christ has given us. It is a daily decision to align our thoughts, actions, and desires with God's will, knowing that we are empowered by His Spirit to do so. [05:07]

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: In what areas of your life do you still struggle to embrace your new identity in Christ? What steps can you take today to live more fully as a new creation?


Day 3: Living as Slaves to Righteousness
As Christians, we are no longer slaves to sin but slaves to righteousness. Our lives are not our own; we are bought with a price and called to glorify God in our bodies and spirits. This new life is lived under the reign of grace, where God works in us to will and to act according to His good pleasure. Being a slave to righteousness means that our ultimate allegiance is to God, and our actions should reflect His character and purposes. It is a call to live a life of obedience and holiness, not out of obligation, but out of gratitude for the grace we have received. This perspective shifts our focus from self-centered living to a life that seeks to honor God in all things. [11:17]

Romans 6:18-19 (ESV): "and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification."

Reflection: How does viewing yourself as a slave to righteousness change your approach to daily decisions and actions? What is one specific area where you can choose to honor God today?


Day 4: Living in the Newness of the Spirit
The Christian fight is not in the oldness of the letter but in the newness of the Spirit. We are not trying to earn our salvation but living out the salvation we have received. Our motivation is love for Christ, who has made us His own. This newness of the Spirit means that our relationship with God is not based on legalistic adherence to rules but on a dynamic, Spirit-led life. It is about being sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to transform us from the inside out. This transformation is marked by a growing love for God and others, as well as a desire to live in a way that reflects Christ's character. [32:53]

Romans 7:6 (ESV): "But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code."

Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a deeper sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's leading in your life? How can you ensure that your actions are motivated by love for Christ rather than obligation?


Day 5: Receiving Help from Our High Priest
We have the help of Christ, our great High Priest, who sympathizes with our weaknesses and provides grace to help in times of need. This is how we put on the breastplate of righteousness, standing firm in the evil day. Christ's role as our High Priest means that He is continually interceding for us and providing the strength and grace we need to overcome challenges. His empathy for our struggles assures us that we are not alone, and His grace empowers us to stand firm in our faith. This understanding should lead us to approach Him with confidence, knowing that He is both willing and able to help us in our time of need. [40:09]

Hebrews 4:15-16 (ESV): "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

Reflection: What current struggles or weaknesses do you need to bring before Christ, your High Priest, today? How can you rely on His grace and strength to help you stand firm?

Quotes


The Apostle is here reminding these Ephesians at the end of this great letter that, though they're Christians, it doesn't mean that they're going to have a life of ease, a life which is free from difficulty. On the contrary, it is a life in which they will be confronted by a terrible and a mighty Foe and antagonist, in other words, the devil and the principalities and the powers and the rulers of the darkness of this world, spiritual wickedness in high or in Heavenly places. [00:57:31]

He tells them that this foe is so mighty, so subtle, so able that there's only one way in which they can deal with him adequately and survive and stand, and that is that they be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, and that they take unto them and put on the whole armor of God. [01:39:15]

This is very essential because it governs, covers the heart and the sensibilities and feelings, the conscience, the desires, and the will, and so on. This is the most vital part, again, of the makeup of the Christian, and therefore we are looking at it very carefully. You see, we need to protect ourselves against moods and feelings and disappointments and things like that, but in particular, we've got to protect ourselves against the subtle Temptations of the devil. [02:52:56]

Putting on the breastplate of righteousness is similar to putting on the Lord Jesus Christ, putting on the armor of light, walking in the spirit. All these are interchangeable terms. But again, you see, we have to ask, what's it mean? They're wonderful phrases, but what exactly is their content? [04:16:40]

Negatively, we have to realize that we are, that the old man is dead indeed un sin. You noticed it in that sixth chapter of Romans in verse 6, knowing that our old man was crucified with Christ. He's the man I was in Adam. He's no longer there, dead indeed with Christ. Realize also that we are no longer in the Dominion of Satan, not under his power. [04:41:12]

We must realize also that we are dead indeed un sin, that's to say the Dominion of sin, the whole territory and government of sin. We are no longer in that realm. These are all negatives. And lastly, we must realize that we are dead to the law, even the law of God. We have died unto the law by the body of Christ, says Paul in Romans 7:4. [05:14:40]

The positive means this: looking unto Jesus. That was our theme 3 weeks ago on Palm Sunday, looking unto Jesus, realizing what he endured and suffered for us. You go through his life, you watch his battle against the devil. There's nothing more strengthening. That's putting on the breastplate of righteousness. As he is, so are we in this world. [05:46:19]

He died to make us good. That's his real object. He died to separate unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works. You see, God didn't send his son to the Cross merely that we might be forgiven. No, no, his ambition is, his purpose is that men should again be what he made him at the beginning, perfect, free from sin, walking in his sight in a perfect manner. [07:27:56]

We must realize that we are under a new master, that we are now the Servants of righteousness. Now that's why I read that sixth chapter of the epistle to the Romans at the beginning because it's the chapter of all chapters which puts this positive as well as the negative which we've already considered. [09:21:16]

When you become a Christian, you see what happens is this: you're delivered from that, yes, but not in order that you may be a kind of autonomous person. What happens to you now is this, that instead of being the slave of sin, you become the slave of Christ and the slave of righteousness. [10:48:39]

We are no longer trying to make ourselves Christians. We are living this life because he's made us Christians. We are not trying to do the impossible. We are trying to do something that he's made possible for us to do. You see, the whole outlook is different. Where the spirit is, there is Liberty. I'm no longer held down. I'm no longer under condemnation. I am a new man. [35:05:00]

We have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let Us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and what and find Grace to help in time of need. [39:57:56]

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Transcript
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