THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
WHAT IS RIGHTEOUSNESS?
The first thing we want to notice is, “what does the Bible mean when it uses the word, righteousness?” If we understand what the scriptural meaning of righteousness is, it will enable us to better understand its role in the Christian armor. We can be better prepared to use it to its fullest in the way God intended. Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary defines righteousness as:
- 1. Acting in accordance with divine or moral law.
2. Being free from guilt or sin.
3. Being morally right or morally justified.
The words that are translated righteousness in the Bible means: the right (morally or legally), prosperity, rightness, rectitude (The quality or state of being correct in judgment or procedure), justice, moral correctness or virtue. To put it in simple terms, righteousness means to make the right decisions both morally and legally, to do the right thing, to do the just thing, to do the correct thing, to be virtuous.
Let us look at several verses in the Bible to better understand righteousness through Biblical example. Let us first take a look at Romans Chapter 4, where it says
Romans 4:1-6 "What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness . Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,"
We see these verses teach Abraham was not justified or considered righteous because he labored and worked for years to earn righteousness. But rather he believed God and that belief or trust was counted unto him for righteousness. What made Abraham so different from everyone else of his time? Why was Abraham considered righteous by God? Abraham did not necessarily labor any harder than anyone else of his time that God should take notice of him. Instead it appears righteousness has more to do with trusting in God than hard work. Let us take a look at several men in the Bible were considered righteous by God and see why God considered them righteous.
Hebrews 11:1-3 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."
We want to notice faith is the substance that gives us hope. Faith comes from trusting in things we can not see. For example, the universe and the worlds around us, they had to come from something, they were created from something. What was it? As we study the Bible, we are taught God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1). We accept this by faith. All of the human theories and all of the books combined present theories and they are just theories. What causes us to trust in the Word of God and God himself? As we study the Word of God and put it to the test, we see everything the Word of God says is true. We develop this trust in God. In studying His will, we learn about God's plan for redeeming mankind, about heaven and hell, and as a result, we realize our hope of eternal life is in God. This strengthens our trust in God and our faith in Him. It gives substance to those things we cannot see, such as God, Jesus, the Holy Ghost, Heaven, Hell, and etc. Our faith continues to grow to the point we can close our eyes and almost visualize heaven. The doubts we sometimes have of the existence of God and of the thing spoken of in the Bible, fade away.
Hebrews 11:4 "By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh."
We also see Abel by faith offered a better sacrifice than Cain, because he trusted in God and followed His Instructions. This pleased God. Abel offered the first-born of his flock to God as a sacrifice as instructed. In contrast, Cain disobeyed God and offered a sacrifice of his own choosing. While God was pleased with Abel’s sacrifice, He rejected Cain’s, but Abel’s was counted as righteousness. As a result, Cain was overcome with jealousy and anger and rose up and killed his brother Abel. Because Abel did what God had commanded, his name still stands to this day and speaks of righteousness.
Hebrews 11:6-10 "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God."
We see faith is necessary to please God, but what kind of faith is pleasing to God? Is it just a mental assent meaning I believe in God and is all that is required? Let us note the verses teach For one to approach God, they must not only believe he exists, but he will reward them that diligently seek him. So how does one diligently seek the Lord? The answer is “by faith.” But, what is this faith that was counted unto Noah for Righteousness? When he found out God was going to destroy the world by a flood, Noah trusted God. And did he say "I trust you, God. I know you are going to save me, not because of anything I could possibly do, but because you just want to."? NO, he trusted God and then did what God told him to do. Every day for 120 years, Noah got up, took his tools and went out and proceeded to do two things, 1. He built the Ark. 2. He warned people about the destruction of the world. He did this even though for 120 years, while he continued to trust in God and continued to build the Ark, it did not rain, it did not flood and not one person listened to him outside of his immediate family, but he never let this get to him spiritually.
Hebrews 11:16-19 "But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure."
Here we see detailed the righteousness of Abraham. God had promised Abraham a son through whose descendents the Messiah, would be born (Genesis 12:1-3). Based on promise, Abraham had left behind his family, his culture, and his birth city, Ur. He wandered about in Palestine waiting for years for son to be born to them. After Isaac was born (the promised seed), and before Isaac had married and had any children, God instructed him to offer his only son, Isaac as a sacrifice to God. This was after Sarah and he had waited about 20 years for Isaac to be born. Abraham, not understanding why God was requiring him to do this (to sacrifice his only son), obeyed God. This was a test of Abraham’s faith and trust in God. Because of his complete trust in God, God counted Abraham’s faith as righteousness.
James 2:20-24 "But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness : and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only."
James uses the story of Abraham and his son, Isaac to show the relationship between faith and works. It was the faith of Abraham that caused him to believe and trust in God, even when it seemed God was contradicting himself. Trust in God causes works of obedience and these works of obedience are counted for righteousness. Does this mean if I took my son and offered him as a sacrifice as did Abraham, I would be considered righteous? NO! The reason is this was a command by God to Abraham and not to anyone else.
God has commandments that apply to everyone, such as being baptized in water for the remission of sins. We are to study the scriptures and obey all the commands given to us by God. (John 14:15). This is the only way the things we do can “be counted as works of righteous’ to us. If you listen or read to the Word of God, and believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, turn your life around (repentance), and confess (by telling others Jesus Christ is the Son of God), and then been immersed in water in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost for the remission of your sins, you have done the works of obedience necessary to have God impute this as righteousness to you. You have started on the path towards serving God by living a Christian Life. You are considered a child of God and have started down the path of righteousness.
I want to point out since we have shown being obedient to the commandments of God is what God considers righteousness and these works of obedience are not considered works by God, but rather is counted as faith or trust, when we use the terms: righteousness, faith, and obedience, they are interchangeable and if we use any one of these terms, we are implying all of them.
THE BLESSINGS OF BEING CONSIDERED RIGHTEOUS BY GOD.
But what benefit is there for me to turn my life over to God? If God imputes righteous unto everyone, what difference does it make how I live? Let’s consider this question by noticing the blessings that come our way because of obedience to the commands of God.
1 Peter 3:12-17 "For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness ' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing."
Once you are a baptized believer and are trying to obey the commands of God, one of the blessings that come your way is God has promised to watch over us. Another blessing is the happiness that comes from knowing the things that we do in accordance to His will are pleasing to God. This doesn’t mean we will be spared from life’s unfortunate occurrences and nothing bad will ever happen to us. We will experience many hardships and difficulties. If we accept these are tests of faith they will strengthen us. God has not promised us we will not be persecuted, but if we are, it is much better to be persecuted for living correctly and knowing we are right with God. Compare Paul and Silas, after preaching the gospel they were thrown into prison, to someone today that may be thrown in prison for using or selling drugs. Which situation would you rather be in?
This is one of the reasons the armor of God has righteousness as the breastplate. This is the part of the armor protects the upper body, the heart and the belly and is designed to help absorb blows maybe potentially fatal. This is the same purpose righteousness serves. For your act to be considered righteousness, they must be based entirely upon the commands of God, in other words you have studied the Bible carefully and you know what God wants you to do, BEFORE you do it. So when Satan tries to tempt and persecute you, you are protected, to the degree you will not be overcome as long as you stop and look for the way of escape God has provided. You are not easily stunned or shocked or swayed to change your mind easily. For example, when someone questions your baptism, you have studied and understand
why you were baptized, so your faith is not shaken every time you hear someone question your beliefs
Romans 4:8-9 "Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness."
Another blessing that comes to those who obey the commands of God is God does not impute sin to them. Or in other words God does not count the works one does as sin, if they have studied and did what God has commanded, rather it is counted as faith and faith causes the works we do to be counted as righteousness.
Hebrews 10:25-26 "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another: and so much the more as ye see the day approaching. For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,"
One of the reasons Christians assemble together is to encourage and exhort one another. Part of being considered righteous by God includes the fact we care about our brothers and sisters in Christ enough it becomes a priority to us to assemble together for the purpose of strengthening one another, for encouraging each other to grow in love and good works.
Another reason we encourage and exhort each other is if we sin willfully after we are baptized, Christ's blood is no longer a sacrifice for our sins. What this means is while we are serving God and obeying his commands and studying and when we learn something God wants us to do we did not know before, we begin doing it. Another aspect of righteousness is that willful sin or knowing something is a sin and then going ahead and doing it, can remove us from the righteousness of God.
HOW IS RIGHTEOUSNESS MANIFEST?
The next point I want to briefly notice is, how do I and others know God considers what I am doing as righteousness? Do I just have to guess? Or do I not have anyway of knowing if God is pleased with my life? In other words, can I know before I die and it is too late for me to correct mistakes I may be making?
James 3:13-17 "Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy."
Righteousness is either easily seen in our lives or we are not righteous in the eyes of God. Here as the King James Version says, let him show out of a good conversation his works. Or to reword this in simple 21st Century English, the way I am living, the things I do in my day to day life, my manner of living will reflect the life of Jesus.
If we are living righteous before God, our motives are first pure, we are peaceable, gentle and when we have disagreements it is easy for someone to come talk to us, we are full of mercy and we bring forth good fruits for God, we do not show partiality by judging others differently or hypocrisy in judging others differently than we do ourselves.
HOW DOES ONE BECOME RIGHTEOUS IN THE EYES OF GOD
Next we want to notice how we can be considered righteous in the eyes of God. There are many religions that teach one cannot tell for sure if they are considered righteous in the eyes of God. Many religions teach there is nothing we can do to affect one way or another, where our eternal destination will be. These religions teach God decides if we are going to heaven or hell. It is not based on anything we may do right or wrong. There is nothing we can do to control our eternal destination.It is all in the hands of God. But let us see what the Bible says about this matter.
Matthew 5:6 "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled."
Matthew teaches us if we have a hunger and a thirst for righteousness, we shall be filled. In other words, I have to make a choice and chose to want to learn what God counts as righteousness then afterwards I have another choice to make and consistently do those things I have learned God wants, and if I do these two things, Jesus promises I will be filled spiritually speaking.
Acts 10:34-35 "Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him."
Here in Acts, Peter teaches very clearly we have a choice in the matter. We can count on the fact God is no respecter of persons. If I live the same type of life as another Brother in Christ, I can count on the fact we will spend eternity together, either in heaven, if we have made righteous choices or in hell if we have not. I have control over my eternal destiny. Either I will serve God and be in heaven or I will serve myself and Satan and will spend an eternity in hell.
Romans 10:1-4 "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness , have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God."
Paul says he wished Israel would be saved, clearly the nation of Israel as a nation currently was not saved. Why not? Because even though they were zealous for God, they were not doing the things God wanted them to do. They were doing what they had decided God wanted them to do. They were doing it with enthusiasm, but in actually, they were rebelling against God with zeal, thinking in their own minds they were pleasing God. This was what Paul was talking about when he said he had lived before God in all good conscience, even when he had been putting to death Christians. He thought he was doing what God wanted him to do, because he was ignorant of God’s righteousness.
Romans 10:8-10 "But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness ; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
Paul begins revealing the first part of God’s plan of salvation. These verses teach us one has to first hear the word of God. Then they have to have faith in the things they had heard. In other words they have to believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God and He died and was resurrected by the power of God and Jesus Christ has a reward he will give unto those who believe in him and trust him enough to diligently seek him through putting into practice and doing the things God has commanded. When we believe and confess with our mouth we believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, these are counted as works of faith and are imputed to us for righteousness.
Romans 1:16-19 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;"
We see the gospel of Christ is the power God chooses to use to save anyone who would be saved. We learn if anyone wants to be saved, there is only one way God has given and this way is through the gospel. This is what God considers righteousness or the one way God counts or imputes to us for righteousness. The gospel is how God has chosen to reveal his righteousness. Trusting in God by obeying Him by doing the works God has commanded in the Bible is how God has chosen to impute righteousness.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:"
Paul declares the gospel is the power of God to salvation. The gospel is the fact Jesus died for our sins, was buried and he arose from the dead, victorious over Satan and Death. Talk about power, Jesus showed forth the power of God so clearly when he broke the bonds of death and arose, never to die again.
Romans 6:3-5 "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:"
Paul ties it all together in these verses. I do not see how anyone can read these verses and then take the stand baptism is not essential for salvation. We see baptism is how we come in contact with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Paul goes on to say, if we wish to be raised from the dead in the same way Jesus was, unto eternal life, then we had to have been planted in the likeness of his death and burial. Then after our old man of sin has died and been buried, we arise a new creature, a Christian, we should no longer live the old live of sin, but rather we should walk a new life, one dedicated to God.
HOW DOES ONE STAY RIGHTEOUS IN THE EYES OF GOD?
The last thing we want to notice about righteousness is after we become Christians, we must continue to live righteous lives. We need to walk in newness of life.
Hebrews 5:13-14 "For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."
The first thing we want to notice about staying righteous in the eyes of God is God does not expect or desire a babe in Christ to start off by taking on the toughest tasks. A babe in Christ should be started off with the milk of the word, things like the importance of being at the assembly of the Church, their relationship and responsibility to their brothers and sisters in Christ, their relationship to the leadership in the church and their need to study to be approved unto God, things to grow spiritually, such as adding to their faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and charity.
James 1:19-20 "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God."
Another important thing for every Christian to learn is self-control. God wants every Christian to learn to listen, to stop and think things through before they open their mouth and speak and not to become easily angry. Each Christian needs to learn these things if they wish to stay righteous in the eyes of God. James makes it very clear when we do not stop and listen, when we are not slow to open our mouths and if we are not slow to become angry, the things we do, on the spur of the moment are not the works God would impute as righteousness to us. If we are swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath, we are much more likely to do the right thing the first time.
Hebrews 12:11 "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby."
Another thing we see is how important it is we as Christians need to learn to take justified criticism. No one likes to be chastised, but if we learn to use chastisement in the proper way, it will help us to bring forth the fruits of righteousness. This is one of the hardest and at the same time, most important things we can do. No one likes to be criticized, but if we both learn to critique someone properly, in meekness and humility and at the same time, accept criticism properly, we will be well on our way to learning how to remain righteous in the eyes of God.
Matthew 6:33-34 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."
Another important thing many Christians do not necessarily learn is we always remember the proper place of material possessions. God has promised if we put the Church and the righteousness that exists within the Church first in our lives, He will take care of our physical needs. Too many times, we get so wrapped up in the things of this world, we begin to think things are important that are only temporary. What I try to do when I find myself getting wrapped up and anxious about things, is ask myself the question, will this matter in 100 years. Will anyone care? I have found this helps me keep my priorities straight.
1 Corinthians 15:33-34 "Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame."
Another important fact Christians need to learn and learn quickly in their Christian life is the friends you choose to hang around with; the people spend time with; have a lot to do with our eternal destination. If you do not understand this, you have allowed Satan to deceive you. Paul very bluntly says if you find yourself hanging around with the wrong crowd you need to awake to righteousness and quit sinning. You do not have the knowledge of God which is necessary to be considered righteous in the sight of God and you should be ashamed of yourself.
2 Timothy 3:15-17 "And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."
If we study the Holy Scriptures, the Bible, we can gain heavenly wisdom about salvation, through faith in Christ Jesus. Paul goes on to point out the entire Bible, both Old and New Testament are inspired by God and we do not need anything else to accomplish any good work. Paul tells us the purpose of the Bible is to provide all of the doctrine of Jesus Christ. Thus the Holy Scriptures are all we need to reprove someone, or show them through the written word they are wrong. It provides everything needed to teach us how to correct the sin in our lives, to instruct us in righteousness, to obey the commands of God. We need nothing other than the Bible, anything else such as concordances, commentaries, or topical Bibles are at best for our convenience. And even then, we need to be careful, realizing any commentary is the work of man and thus is vastly inferior to the Word of God.
2 Timothy 4:6-8 "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing."
Paul is writing to Timothy, just before his death. Paul says because he had fought a good fight, and kept the faith, he has a crown of righteousness laid up in heaven for him as his reward. Paul here sums everything up. How can we stay righteous in the eyes of God? Many religions teach there is nothing a person can do to affect their eternal destination. Paul here makes it abundantly clear we have control over whether we will spend eternity in heaven or hell. How? By keeping the faith or as Jesus said in issuing the Great Commission, learning to obey everything Jesus commanded us. Paul says this crown of righteousness is laid up and awaiting anyone who shows they love the appearing of Jesus, by obedience to Him or in Paul’s words, “Keeping the faith."
Chapter Summary
- 1. Righteousness means we obey the commands of God, so we know we are in the right.
2. Righteousness is the Breastplate of the armour because it guards the heart.
3. Abraham was called righteous because he did what God said, even if he did not understand.
4. Faith or trust in God, gives substance to the things we hope for.
5. Faith means we keep on obeying God even if we are the only ones doing so.
6. There is a difference between mentally believing in God and trusting him enough to obey His commands.
7. To be considered righteous in the eyes of God means we first study to make sure we know what God wants then do it.
8. To be righteous in the eyes of God, means We believe, repent, confess Jesus is the Son of God, then we must be properly baptized by being immersed in water, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost for the remission of our sins.
9. To obtain our Crown in heaven means we continue to study and grow and obey all the commands of God as we learn what they are.
10. There are many blessings that come from God when we are considered righteous by him.
No comments:
Post a Comment
I earnestly seek your comments and suggestions.