Breastplate of Righteousness
In our men's study last night we looked at the armor of God found in Ephesians chapter 6. This is a very popular scripture for guys to study. For good reason I think. It's interesting. It shows us a larger picture of reality than we are normally given. It shows us that battle that is going on. It shows us that the Kingdom of Heaven is, quite honestly, more real than the world that we see. Time after time Jesus tells us that the kingdom of the world will fade away, but His kingdom will endure forever.
In the battle that is happening at a cosmic scale we find a place. What's the best way to win a fight? Probably to not let your enemy know that there is a fight. Satan has done an amazing job convincing many people and christians that there really is no "battle" happening. From reading the Bible it is simply impossible to not realize that there is a battle happening.
One of the pieces of armor that God has given us is the "Breastplate of Righteousness." Righteousness means to walk in line with God. When commanding Joshua, God told him him to walk straight and to not turn to the right or turn to the left. If he stays that course he, and the whole nation, will be delivered. If he turns to the right or to the left they will surely perish. Righteousness is the breastplate. The breastplate covers the entire torso (think bullet proof vest). If the breastplate is not on you are a HUGE target.
When we veer off course. Simply put, when we sin we are turning to the right or to the left. When we actively pursue sin we are taking off the breastplate and opening ourselves up to the very real attacks of satan and the principalities of darkness.
Why is sin so bad? Through sin you are opening yourself up to die. The opposite of sin is to follow in line with God (righteousness). As you walk in line with God you represent a much, much smaller target. When we are facing the temptation of sin we hardly recognize a war going on. The problem with the invisible war is that it is so easy to forget that it is happening. Why do I need to wear armor? Seriously? Doesn't that seem a bit over the top? I can only conclude that Paul was serious about a war when he wrote these words. I can only conclude that God had opened his eyes (pun intended) to see all the things that were going on around him.
I know that sin is bad. I have read that sin leads to death. I have thought that as a Christian we should just work real hard to not sin because we love God and he tells us not to. That is not wrong but it may fall short of what sin really is. God may not want us to sin because sin opens us up to the attack from Satan and the principalities of darkness and evil. Sin isn't just bad. Sin is death. Sin is a separation from the living water and the bread of life of Jesus Christ. Sure sounds like communion doesn't it?
In the battle that is happening at a cosmic scale we find a place. What's the best way to win a fight? Probably to not let your enemy know that there is a fight. Satan has done an amazing job convincing many people and christians that there really is no "battle" happening. From reading the Bible it is simply impossible to not realize that there is a battle happening.
When we veer off course. Simply put, when we sin we are turning to the right or to the left. When we actively pursue sin we are taking off the breastplate and opening ourselves up to the very real attacks of satan and the principalities of darkness.
Why is sin so bad? Through sin you are opening yourself up to die. The opposite of sin is to follow in line with God (righteousness). As you walk in line with God you represent a much, much smaller target. When we are facing the temptation of sin we hardly recognize a war going on. The problem with the invisible war is that it is so easy to forget that it is happening. Why do I need to wear armor? Seriously? Doesn't that seem a bit over the top? I can only conclude that Paul was serious about a war when he wrote these words. I can only conclude that God had opened his eyes (pun intended) to see all the things that were going on around him.
I know that sin is bad. I have read that sin leads to death. I have thought that as a Christian we should just work real hard to not sin because we love God and he tells us not to. That is not wrong but it may fall short of what sin really is. God may not want us to sin because sin opens us up to the attack from Satan and the principalities of darkness and evil. Sin isn't just bad. Sin is death. Sin is a separation from the living water and the bread of life of Jesus Christ. Sure sounds like communion doesn't it?
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