The Breastplate of Righteousness

# 2 out of 6 in the Armor of God Series

The second piece of the Armor of God is the Breastplate of Righteousness. The role of the breastplate is as straight forward as can be. It is a metalic plate, made of bronze in the Greek era, iron or bronze in the Roman era that protected the vital organs in the front of the torso. It is important to note that these breastplates did not cover the back because the Greek and Roman soliders were never expected to turn their back to an enemy. Thier formations in the army prevented them from being surrounded easily so they always faced thier opponents. Having the back open allowed air to come through so they could breath in thier hot armor.

As Christians, we wear Righteousness as our breastplate. The Bible does not equate righteousness with perfection, but as either a lifestyle or an identity. As a lifestyle, Abraham is an example we can use. He lived by faith and was considered righteous. Job was also considered righteous. They trusted in the Lord, and even when they sinned, they still sought after God. However, an area of sin in our lives is like a chink in the breastplate. Modern day fencers teach very accurate point control with our weapons, especially in epee, the derivative of the dueling sword. We are taught to hit at very specific points on the body and not just anywhere we can. The enemy, Satan, is very good at specifying where he wants to hit. So any weakness we have in our defenses due to a sin that we have not dealt with is like wearing a target saying "hit me".

Righteousness is also revealed in the context of identity. When Jesus died and rose again, he did that so we might become the righteousness of God. Under the blood covenant of the cross, Jesus took the punishment that was due to every one of us. And when we stand blameless before the Throne of Heaven, we are viewed as Righteous. God must see a pure, white heart in us into order to be able to dwell in our midst. But sin made our heart red as scarlet. But Jesus' blood covers our sin. And if you look at a red object through a red lens, you see white. This is how God sees us. He looks at us through the lens of Christ's blood and seeing white, he calls us righteous.

Next will be the Feet of the Gospel of Peace.