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 Breastplate of Righteousness –

Zbroja Batorego“Righteousness must be our breast plate. The breast-plate secures the vitals, shelters the heart…⁵ Righteousness is His coat of arms…and it is called the armour of God, because He wore it first and so fitted it for us.⁶”

Righteousness is defined as “acting in accord with divine or moral law:  free from guilt or sin; morally right or justifiable.⁷”

Righteousness is a way of living out a lifestyle based in Christ’s example and a foundation in God’s law that shields our hearts from erring in sin. According to Christ, out of an evil, degenerate heart proceeds sin (Mt. 15:16, 18-20; Mt. 12: 35). “All unrighteousness is sin” (1 Jn. 5:17).

Christ Himself “engaged His own strength and righteousness⁸” to save us from the clutches of sin.  “There is none righteous, no, not one; …He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor, therefore, His arm brought salvation unto Him, and His righteousness, it sustained Him; For He put on righteousness as a breastplate…” (Ro. 3:10; Is. 59:16-17).

As Christians, we are to be imitators of God as Christ was (Ep. 5:1). The Lord loves righteousness (Ps. 45:7).  His attribute is righteousness (Ps. 145:17). His “right hand is full of righteousness” (Ps. 48:10). His name is “The Lord Our Righteousness” (1 Jn. 2:29). The Lord is the Source of Righteousness (Phil. 3:9).      

So what are a few benefits for those who are righteous?  They will enjoy the fruits of righteousness (Phil. 1:11). They are “delivered out of trouble” (Pr. 11:8).  Their hope “shall be gladness” (Pr. 10:28). Their labor will tend to life (Pr. 10:16). Their prayers are heard of the Lord (Pr. 15:29). The righteous shall receive eternal life (Mt. 25:46).