The Christian’s Armor: The Breastplate of Righteousness
This text commands us to protect our vital spiritual organs with the breastplate of righteousness, which includes both the righteousness earned for us by Jesus Christ, and the righteousness produced in our lives through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Outline
What is Righteousness?
Why do We Need it?
How do We Get it?
How do We Put on Righteousness?
Study Questions
Righteousness is a major theme in Scripture, with over 500 references to it.
In your own words, how would you define righteousness?
How can a person obtain the righteousness they need to be holy before God (Phil 3:9; Rom 1:17; 3:21-23; Gal 2:16)?
What does Jesus say about the priority of righteousness in the life of a Christian (See Matt 5:6; 6:33)?
Theologians speak of righteousness as objective and subjective. The objective being something that is outside of ourselves and given to us by God through faith (1 Cor 1:30; Phil 3:9; Rom 1:17; 3:21-23; Gal 2:16). The subjective is the righteousness that is produced in us through the Holy Spirit that manifests itself in righteous thoughts and actions (2 Cor 6:3-8; Phil 1:11; Rom 6:13; Eph 2:10; 4:24; Tit 2:14; Jam 3:18; 1 Pet 2:24).
Does this distinction mean there are two kinds of righteousness?
Which sense of righteousness does Paul intend for us to put on like a breastplate?
Describe the danger in spiritual warfare if either sense is lost when arming ourselves?
The verse commands us to put on the “breastplate of righteousness.” This metaphor indicates that God’s righteousness protects our vital spiritual organs.
How would you teach this to someone who has difficulty understanding it?
How can we encourage people to depend on the righteousness Christ has earned for us for encouragement and strength in the battle?
How can we encourage each other to pursue righteousness in our daily lives to protect us from the assaults of the enemy (Heb 3:12-13; 10:24-25)?