Police entering gun battles and soldiers in combat zones
wear lifesaving, bullet proof vests. The chest area contains many of the
vital organs. The heart and the lungs are chief among these for sustaining
life. Without the protection of the vest, a bullet has the greater potential of
piercing one of these vital organs. The result would be devastating to the
body. These vests have been improved over the years. They are made of the best
material possible at this time. They are to protect from attack and save lives.
As Christians, we will enter battles. When
describing the armor of God, Paul tells us that we should stand ready for these
battles. “having put on the breastplate of
righteousness,” (Ephesians 6:14b AMP) Before we ever enter a
battle with the spiritual forces of darkness, we must already have the
protection around or heart. The righteousness that forms our breastplate is not
something that we can work up on our own. It comes by believing. “And
he believed the Lord, and
he counted it to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 15:6
ESV) This statement is made repeatedly concerning Abraham. This
righteousness is not credited to anything that he did, but simply that he
believed God. The Scripture tells us that through the sacrifice of Jesus
Christ we have been given His righteousness that leads to freedom and
salvation. “For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned
through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace
and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man
Jesus Christ. Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so
one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all
men.” (Romans 5:17–18 ESV) We obtain this righteousness in the
same way that Abraham did. We believe in Jesus Christ and it will be credited
to us as righteousness.
Another breastplate is found in the Old Testament.
The priests wore a breastplate when they served in their priestly role.
In Exodus 25-28, God gave Moses very specific instructions concerning the
breastplate that the priests would wear and how they were to serve. These
instructions included the dimensions and materials with which the breastplate
was to be designed. This breastplate was to be made of gold. Among the
materials to be placed in this breastplate were a variety of precious gems
including emerald, sapphires, diamonds, onyx and eight other precious
stones.
The New Testament tells us that we have been made a royal
priesthood. “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a
holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the
excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1
Peter 2:9 ESV) As priests of the most, high God, we too, must wear a
spiritual breastplate. God has instructed that our breastplate is constructed
of the righteousness He has bestowed us through the death of Jesus Christ.
Placed in that breastplate of righteousness are many gems and jewels. As we
study the word and receive understanding, we uncover gems of the truths that
have been hidden. “to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding
and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ in
whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Colossians
2:2-3 ESV) Each of those revelations will add to the strength of our
faith, just as each gem added to the breastplate of the priest. We will
be ready to serve before the Lord.
An officer or soldier who has been hit by a bullet will
be saved from death. That does not mean that there will be no harm. There is
often severe bruising in the area the bullet has hit the vest. In these times
the soldier will be taken aside to a place of rest and recovery. He may be
bruised and need this time away, but he will live to fight another day.
In our battles against spiritual forces and lies of the
enemy, we may become bruised and in need of a reprieve. We will need times
aside to receive attention from the great physician. By staying close to Jesus
and His Word, we too will rise up to stand strong and fight the enemy another
day. With our breastplate in place we will not only survive, we will thrive.
So remember, a bullet proof vest or a breastplate
of righteousness must be put on before the battle begins. Your enemy will
not give a time out for you to get ready. So, renew you mind to the
righteousness God has provided in Jesus Christ. Then you will be ready to
not only survive the battles, but thrive amidst them. Take courage as you
remember that God is righteous. “For the Lord is righteous; he loves righteous deeds;
the upright shall behold his face.” (Psalm 11:7 ESV) And our righteous God has said, “For
the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but
of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans14:17
ESV) You too, can live through every circumstance with that peace and joy!
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