Stand Firm: Breastplate of Righteousness

Sunday we’ll consider the next piece of God’s armor, the breastplate of righteousness. This piece of armor protected the soldier's vital organs and was secured to the belt. It was fastened down so that it wouldn’t move during battle. The piece could refer to the righteousness of Christ that we stand in through God’s justification, but the context seems to indicate something else.

Paul says that our “new self” is created after the “likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (4:24) From there Paul describes what righteousness and holiness look like for the people of God. Remember that often when the word righteousness is used in Scripture it refers to how we treat others. It refers to our social responsibility as members of a community. When God puts on the breastplate of righteousness in Isaiah 59:17, it’s to restore Israel as a place of righteousness by pursuing justice against oppression.

So come Sunday and consider how the breastplate of righteousness functions in the church!