Relying on Christ: The Breastplate of Righteousness

 

Summary

In our journey of faith, we often encounter the subtle tactics of the devil, who seeks to divide our human personality and lead us astray. One of his common strategies is to exaggerate the importance of emotions and experiences, making us rely solely on them for our assurance of salvation. However, emotions are fleeting and unreliable, and when they fade, we may find ourselves questioning our faith. The antidote to this is the breastplate of righteousness, which is our protection and assurance in Christ. It is not our feelings or experiences that save us, but the righteousness of Christ, which we receive through faith.

The devil also tempts us to rely on our works and activities, leading us to pride and self-reliance. Yet, even our best efforts are insufficient for salvation. We must remember that our foundation is Christ alone, and our works, though important, are not the basis of our salvation. The breastplate of righteousness reminds us that our standing before God is secure because of Christ's work, not our own.

Spiritual depression and discouragement are other tools the devil uses to shake our faith. During these times, we may feel distant from God and question His love for us. Yet, the breastplate of righteousness assures us that God's love is constant and unchanging, regardless of our circumstances. We are called to rest in the Lord and trust in His promises, knowing that all things work together for good for those who love Him.

In moments of trial and tribulation, when we are beset by doubts and fears, the breastplate of righteousness is our defense. It is the assurance that, despite our weaknesses and failures, we are held securely in God's love. We must put on this breastplate daily, reminding ourselves of the truth of the gospel and relying solely on Christ's righteousness.

Key Takeaways:

- Emotions and experiences, while significant, are not the foundation of our faith. They are variable and can lead us astray if relied upon solely. Our assurance must be rooted in the righteousness of Christ, which is constant and unchanging. [12:55]

- The temptation to rely on our works and activities is a subtle trap. Our salvation is not based on our efforts but on the finished work of Christ. We must guard against pride and self-reliance, remembering that our foundation is Christ alone. [23:04]

- Spiritual depression and discouragement are common experiences in the Christian life. During these times, we must rest in the Lord and trust in His promises, knowing that He is working all things for our good. [34:09]

- Trials and tribulations are inevitable, but they do not separate us from God's love. The breastplate of righteousness assures us of our secure standing in Christ, even when we do not understand our circumstances. [33:55]

- The breastplate of righteousness is our defense against the devil's attacks. It is the assurance of our salvation and the reminder of God's unchanging love. We must put it on daily, relying solely on Christ's righteousness. [42:02]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[08:45] - The Devil's Division
[09:35] - The Importance of the Breastplate
[11:47] - The Danger of Relying on Feelings
[14:41] - Righteousness Over Experiences
[18:26] - The Temptation of Works
[22:03] - Discouragement in Christian Life
[25:21] - The Foundation of Christ
[28:00] - Spiritual Depression
[32:12] - Trials and Tribulations
[34:09] - Resting in the Lord
[36:14] - Assurance in Christ's Righteousness
[39:58] - God's Unchanging Love
[42:02] - The Breastplate of Righteousness
[43:38] - Closing Hymn

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 6:17 - "But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you."
2. 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 - "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire."
3. Romans 8:28 - "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does the sermon suggest is the danger of relying solely on emotions and experiences for assurance of salvation? [09:35]
2. How does the breastplate of righteousness serve as protection against the devil's tactics, according to the sermon? [12:55]
3. What is the significance of the breastplate of righteousness in the context of spiritual depression and discouragement? [34:09]
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between our works and our standing before God? [23:04]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that emotions and experiences can be unreliable foundations for faith? How does this relate to Romans 6:17? [13:12]
2. How does the sermon explain the role of the breastplate of righteousness in combating spiritual depression? What does this imply about the nature of God's love? [34:09]
3. According to the sermon, why is it important to remember that our foundation is Christ alone, especially in times of trial? How does this relate to 1 Corinthians 3:11-15? [23:04]
4. How does the sermon use Romans 8:28 to encourage believers during times of doubt and fear? What does this suggest about the nature of God's promises? [34:56]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you relied on your emotions or experiences for assurance of your faith. How did that impact your relationship with God? What steps can you take to root your assurance in Christ's righteousness instead? [09:35]
2. Consider a situation where you felt discouraged in your spiritual journey. How can the breastplate of righteousness provide comfort and assurance during such times? [34:09]
3. Identify an area in your life where you might be tempted to rely on your works for validation. How can you shift your focus to Christ's finished work on the cross? [23:04]
4. Think about a recent trial or tribulation you faced. How did you respond, and how might resting in the Lord and trusting in His promises change your perspective? [34:09]
5. How can you remind yourself daily of the truth of the gospel and the assurance of salvation through Christ's righteousness? What practical steps can you take to "put on" the breastplate of righteousness each day? [42:02]
6. In what ways can you support others in your community who may be experiencing spiritual depression or discouragement? How can you share the message of God's unchanging love with them? [34:09]
7. Reflect on Romans 8:28 and consider how you can apply its truth to a current challenge in your life. How can this verse encourage you to trust in God's purpose and plan? [34:56]

Devotional

Day 1: Emotions Are Not Our Foundation
In our spiritual journey, emotions and experiences can often feel like the most tangible aspects of our faith. However, they are not the foundation upon which our assurance of salvation should rest. Emotions are transient and can lead us astray if we rely on them solely. Instead, our assurance must be rooted in the righteousness of Christ, which remains constant and unchanging. This righteousness is not something we earn or feel; it is a gift we receive through faith. By focusing on Christ's righteousness, we find a stable foundation that does not waver with our emotional highs and lows. [12:55]

"For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you." (Isaiah 54:10, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a recent situation where your emotions led you to doubt your faith. How can you remind yourself of Christ's unchanging righteousness in similar situations in the future?


Day 2: The Trap of Self-Reliance
The temptation to rely on our works and activities is a subtle trap that can lead us to pride and self-reliance. While our efforts and good deeds are important, they are not the basis of our salvation. Our foundation is Christ alone, and it is His finished work that secures our salvation. By remembering this, we guard against the pride that comes from self-reliance and instead cultivate humility, recognizing that our standing before God is due to Christ's righteousness, not our own. [23:04]

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV)

Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you tend to rely on your own efforts. How can you shift your focus to rely more on Christ's work instead?


Day 3: Overcoming Spiritual Discouragement
Spiritual depression and discouragement are common experiences in the Christian life. During these times, we may feel distant from God and question His love for us. However, the breastplate of righteousness assures us that God's love is constant and unchanging, regardless of our circumstances. We are called to rest in the Lord and trust in His promises, knowing that He is working all things for our good. By focusing on His unchanging love, we can find peace and assurance even in the midst of spiritual discouragement. [34:09]

"Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God." (Psalm 42:11, ESV)

Reflection: When you feel spiritually discouraged, what specific promise of God can you hold onto to remind yourself of His unchanging love?


Day 4: Trials Do Not Separate Us from God's Love
Trials and tribulations are inevitable in life, but they do not separate us from God's love. The breastplate of righteousness assures us of our secure standing in Christ, even when we do not understand our circumstances. In moments of trial, we are reminded that God's love is steadfast and that He is with us through every challenge. By putting on the breastplate of righteousness daily, we can face trials with confidence, knowing that our relationship with God is secure. [33:55]

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a current trial you are facing. How can you view this trial as an opportunity to deepen your trust in God's steadfast love?


Day 5: The Daily Armor of Righteousness
The breastplate of righteousness is our defense against the devil's attacks. It is the assurance of our salvation and the reminder of God's unchanging love. By putting it on daily, we remind ourselves of the truth of the gospel and rely solely on Christ's righteousness. This daily practice helps us stand firm against doubts and fears, knowing that we are held securely in God's love. As we wear this armor, we are equipped to face each day with confidence and peace. [42:02]

"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." (Ephesians 6:11, ESV)

Reflection: What practical steps can you take each morning to remind yourself to put on the breastplate of righteousness and rely on Christ's strength throughout the day?

Quotes


The devil tries to cause this division, this false division of the human personality, and he does it in many different ways. But this, I say, is a particularly common one which he uses and implies, having brought the gospel, having brought us to see that the affections, the emotions must be involved and must be moved. [00:08:42]

When for some reason or another that suddenly goes, and there are many reasons why it may suddenly go, we are left, I say, without anything at all. Now it's just in a case like that that the breastplate of righteousness is all-important. Indeed, it is at this point the only adequate protection. [00:09:31]

The danger is, I say, to put the feelings in the first position and to rely upon them. And so they find themselves like poor William Kapper having to cry out in an agony, "Where is the blessedness I knew when first I sought the Lord?" Where is it? It's gone. These things have vanished, he says. [00:11:27]

While we are to have the feelings, they are to be subservient to and the outcome of our standing on the basis of justification by faith only. It is the righteousness of Christ that saves me, not any feelings I have with respect to it. Now there is an inevitable order in these matters. [00:12:59]

The subjective must always follow the objective, and the tragedy is that people put the subjective before the objective. You'll see we've indeed considered it many times in dealing with this great paragraph. The devil, of course, can get us at any point. Here I am emphasizing this morning the objective. [00:13:18]

The devil will come and say to certain people, "Quite right, it's the only thing that matters," and they're so objective they've never felt anything at all, and they're not Christians. The true Christian is the men defined in Romans 6:17, "But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed." [00:13:47]

The devil tries to bring us back into a subtle reliance once more upon works and upon ourselves and upon our own activities. And for a while, it seems to be wonderful. Yeah, we are in the Christian life, we're doing a lot, and we're working hard, and we're making a great contribution. [00:20:16]

Then a time comes when for some reason or another things begin to go, troubles arise, problems arise even in connection with that work perhaps, or something like that. Or after a period of success and blessing, there seems to be a kind of stalemate, nothing happening at all. [00:21:27]

The first thing you and I have got to learn is this: that however good, however much good we may do, however active we may be, it will never be the thing which will help us at the day of judgment. Our Lord himself taught us this. You remember the disciples, they couldn't quite follow this. [00:22:46]

The day will declare it, yes, but as I'm suggesting, sometimes the devil gives us a preview of that day, and he just makes you look at your own work and see what you've done, and he convinces you very quickly that you've done nothing at all. But as you've been relying upon it, your whole position has gone. [00:24:20]

The only hope, I say, is to say, "Well, I don't understand, but this I know," and that's putting on the breastplate of righteousness. In other words, let me put it first in the Old Testament terms: rest in the Lord, wait patiently for him when you don't understand and when you really are perplexed. [00:33:55]

We know that all things work together for good to them that love God. We know it, he says. He doesn't say we understand it. He says we don't understand always how it's working, but we know. That's resting on it again. All things work together for good to them that love God. [00:34:09]

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Transcript
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