EPISODE 446 – THE BREASTPLATE OF LOVE AND FAITH VERSUS THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS – The Complete Armor Of God 13

THE BREASTPLATE OF LOVE AND FAITH VERSUS THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS –

The Complete Armor Of God 13

“Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness“ 

Ephesians 6:14 (KJV)

We have patiently looked at:

– What the breastplate of righteousness is, how to put on the breastplate of righteousness and how it works.

– The need for the breastplate of righteousness amidst the attacks of the adversary.

– How you cannot depend on your self-righteousness.

– How the LORD, Christ Jesus, sustained Himself in His work of salvation by putting on the breastplate of righteousness; and how He has become our righteousness.

However, there is a way Paul the Apostle explained the breastplate in his epistle to the Thessalonians:

“But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.” 1 Thessalonians 5:8 (NKJV)

One may quickly assume there is a contradiction between 1 Thessalonians 5:8 and what he mentioned in Ephesians 6:14, “having on the breastplate of righteousness”.

Remember, the Bible does not contradict itself.
The books of the Bible progressively unveil the absolute revelation of God.

Concerning the gears or equipment in the Lord’s armor, there are no contradictions. The absolute meanings of the armor of God are clearly given.

The soldier’s belt consistently represents truth in the believer’s gears.

Salvation consistently serves as the believer’s helmet in Christ (we will be looking into that closely in the next episodes).

Righteousness consistently serves as the believer’s breastplate.

It wasn’t just Paul the apostle who referred to righteousness as a breastplate.

The Prophet Isaiah also recognized righteousness as a breastplate:

“…so his own arm achieved salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him. He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head…“ Isaiah 59:16-17 (NKJV)

In all three verses of the Bible (Isaiah 59:17; Ephesians 6:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:8) Salvation serves as a helmet in the armor of God.

This means that the breastplate of faith and love (in 1 Thessalonians 5:8) also points to righteousness.

In interpreting a Biblical concept, you must also observe how the author consistently interprets symbols and items or objects.

For example, in the Gospels, John consistently used water as a symbol of the life-dispensing flow of the Spirit. This means you must maintain that perspective whenever you are reading John’s writings.

You must have the same understanding as to the writings of the other Biblical authors (except in some exceptional contexts).

There are two key items which produced the righteousness of God in you.

1. Love
2. Faith

God legally supplied His righteousness to us by giving us His son. The entire process of Christ’s death and resurrection is the workings of the wisdom and the love of God.

Until Jesus died and was raised, His righteousness wouldn’t have been made available and dispensed to us.

The death of Jesus is the evidence of the love of God.

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 (NKJV)

The Lord has demonstrated His love by making it possible for us to receive His righteousness. We cannot receive His righteousness by our good deeds. We receive His righteousness through faith in Him.

“For no person will be justified [freed of guilt and declared righteous] in His sight by [trying to do] the works of the Law. For through the Law we become conscious of sin [and the recognition of sin directs us toward repentance, but provides no remedy for sin]… This righteousness of God comes through faith in Jesus Christ for all those [Jew or Gentile] who believe [and trust in Him and acknowledge Him as God’s Son]. There is no distinction“ Romans 3:20,22 (Amplified Bible)

Beloved the love of God and His faith within our hearts are the items that caused the righteousness of God to germinate within our hearts.

Thus, the breastplate of Love and Faith = the breastplate of righteousness.

I believe this blessed you.

Glory to God!